What is Area Code 213?
Area Code 213 is a geographic telephone area code within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that serves the central portion of Los Angeles, California. Today, it primarily covers Downtown Los Angeles and nearby neighborhoods, including the Financial District, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Westlake, and the Arts District.
The area code was introduced in 1947 and originally served a much larger portion of Southern California before additional area codes were created to accommodate population growth and increased demand for telephone numbers.
Due to continued demand, Area Codes 323 and 738 now overlay the same geographic region, meaning multiple area codes serve the same area and 10-digit dialing is required for all local calls.
- State: California
- Major Cities/Areas: Primarily Downtown Los Angeles and immediately adjoining neighborhoods like Koreatown, Westlake, and parts of East Los Angeles.
- Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)/Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
- Established: 1947
- Overlay Area Codes: 323 and 738
- Region Population: 2.3 million residents
- Primary Uses: Local business lines, residential calls, VoIP, and mobile numbers.
What Time Zone is Area Code 213 in?
Area Code 213 operates in the Pacific Time Zone (PT), which covers most of California and the U.S. West Coast.
The region observes:
- Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC−8 during fall and winter.
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): UTC−7 during daylight saving time, typically from March through November.
Population & Demographics of Area Code 213
Area Code 213 serves Downtown Los Angeles and nearby neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Westlake, and the Arts District. The region is home to approximately 2.3 million residents and reflects Los Angeles' multicultural identity, with large Hispanic and Latino, Asian American, White, and African American communities. It is also one of the most linguistically diverse urban areas in the United States, with more than 200 languages spoken across Los Angeles County.
Demographics:
- Estimated Population: Approximately 2.3 million
- Median Age: Around 33 years
- Average Household Size: Approximately 2.5 people
- Gender Distribution: 50.34% male and 49.66% female
- Largest Population Centers: Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Westlake, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Arts District, South Park, and the Financial District.
- Major Industries: Finance, entertainment, media, technology, healthcare, legal services, education, tourism, hospitality, government, and professional services.
Counties and Cities Covered by Area Code 213
Area code 213 serves Los Angeles County, primarily covering Downtown Los Angeles and nearby central neighborhoods. Here are the major counties and communities covered by Area Code 213:
History & Background of Area Code 213
Area code 213 was introduced in 1947 as one of the original NANP area codes and California's first. Today, it shares the same service area in Central Los Angeles with area codes 323 and 738 to meet the growing demand for new phone numbers.
- 1947: Area code 213 was introduced as one of the original 86 U.S. area codes and became California's first, serving much of Southern California.
- 1998: Area code 323 was created through a geographic split from 213 to accommodate growing demand for new phone numbers.
- Reason for the Split: Rapid population growth, business expansion, the rise of mobile phones, fax machines, and internet services accelerated the exhaustion of available 213 telephone numbers.
- Overlay Expansion: On November 1, 2024, Area Code 738 was introduced as an overlay to the existing 213 and 323 service area, allowing new numbers without changing existing ones.
Why Local Numbers Build Trust?
A 213 area code gives your business a trusted local identity in Los Angeles, helping customers recognize, answer, and trust your calls.
- Higher Call Pickup Rates: Local numbers are more likely to be answered than unfamiliar or out-of-state calls.
- Stronger Local Presence: Show customers your business serves the Los Angeles community, even if you operate remotely.
- Better Local SEO: Consistent business phone numbers across your website, Google Business Profile, and directories support local search visibility.
- Instant Customer Trust : A familiar 213 number makes customers more comfortable calling, requesting quotes, or booking services.
GoodCall AI Phone Answering Service for 213 Area Code Businesses
Businesses across Downtown Los Angeles receive calls around the clock. GoodCall's AI voice agent answers every call professionally, automates routine conversations, reduces missed opportunities, and improves response times.
- 24/7 AI Call Answering with a Voice Agent: GoodCall's AI phone agent answers calls around the clock, responds to common questions, captures caller information, and transfers complex conversations to your team when needed.
- Intelligent Lead Capture & Qualification: Collect customer information, qualify leads, and route high-value enquiries to the right team.
- AI Appointment Scheduling: Allow customers to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments without speaking to a live receptionist.
- CRM & Calendar Integration: Automatically sync calls, contacts, and appointments with your CRM and calendar.
- Full Call Recording & Analytics: Review recordings, summaries, and insights to improve customer service and team performance.
How to Get a 213 Area Code Phone Number with GoodCall?
A 213 area code phone number helps businesses establish a local presence in Downtown Los Angeles and nearby communities, making them more recognizable and accessible to local customers.
Setting up a 213 phone number with GoodCall takes just a few steps:
- Create an Account: Sign up for GoodCall using your business details.
- Choose a Plan: Select the plan that matches your team size, expected call volume, and business requirements.
- Verify Your Business: Complete the required business verification to meet telecommunications compliance before your number is activated.
- Select Your Number: Choose an available 213 area code phone number that fits your business.
- Set Up Your AI Phone Agent: Customize your AI phone agent with business hours, call routing, FAQs, appointment scheduling, and CRM or calendar integrations.
- Start Receiving Calls: Once your setup is complete, your 213 number is ready to answer customer calls with GoodCall's AI-powered voice agent.
Nearby Area Codes to 213
Area Code 213 shares its service region with overlay area codes and is surrounded by several neighboring codes serving Greater Los Angeles and Southern California. Here are the nearby regions and their area codes:


