What is 805 Area Code?

The 805 area code was created in 1957 as a split from the original 213 area code. It was introduced to serve the central portion of California. Due to explosive population growth, particularly in the Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties, the area code was split again in 1999 to create the 661 area code for the Bakersfield and Santa Clarita regions. 

In 2018, the 820 area code was introduced as an overlay to the 805 area code to meet the increasing demand for phone numbers in the region. This requires all local calls to be dialed with a full ten-digit number, a standard practice in major metropolitan areas.

  • State: California 
  • Major Cities: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, San Luis Obispo 
  • Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST) / Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
  • Established: 1957 
  • Overlay Area Code: 820 
  • Region Population: Over 1.7 million (shared with 820) 
  • Primary Uses: Business, Residential

Population & Demographics of 805 Area Code

The 805 area code serves a diverse population with a blend of coastal communities, agricultural towns, and suburban hubs. The region is a cultural melting pot with a strong economy driven by agriculture, tourism, technology, and education. 

The presence of major universities like the University of California, Santa Barbara, and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, contributes to a highly educated workforce and a growing startup ecosystem.

805 Area Code Time Zone

The 805 area code is located entirely within the Pacific Time Zone (PT). This is a crucial detail for businesses, as it aligns with the major economic centers on the West Coast, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.