The 516 area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) – a standardized telephone numbering system that assigns unique three-digit codes to specific geographic regions.
As the original area code for Nassau County on Long Island, New York, 516 has long served as a geographic signal that’s recognized by both residents and businesses throughout the state.
In commercial and professional settings, a 516 number can influence how trustworthy or locally familiar a caller appears – especially in communities across Long Island.
This guide breaks down exactly what the 516 area code covers, the areas and cities it includes, and why it remains valuable today. You’ll also find out how to get a 516 number – even if you’re not based in New York – and how it can help boost your business credibility, call answer rates, and local brand presence.
Whether you’re responding to an unfamiliar number or planning to expand into the New York market, understanding the role and relevance of this area code helps you make smarter communication decisions.
Where Is the 516 Area Code Located?
The 516 area code serves as the original telephone identifier for Nassau County, located on the western portion of Long Island, New York.
Assigned in 1951 as a geographic split from the 914 area code, 516 has long been a core part of local identity in this region. If your customers, partners, or personal contacts are based in Nassau County, chances are high they’ll recognize 516 as a trusted and familiar code.
This area includes densely populated and economically active cities and communities such as Hempstead, Garden City, Levittown, Mineola, Freeport, Uniondale, and Long Beach. These areas represent major residential and commercial zones within Long Island, making 516 a strategic choice for anyone trying to establish presence or trust within the region.
The 516 area code falls under the Eastern Time Zone (ET), aligning it with the business hours of New York City, the broader New York State, and much of the East Coast. This makes it a practical match for those working across markets like Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens – especially when real-time communication is essential.
Over time, as demand for phone numbers in New York grew, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) introduced new area codes to manage number exhaustion.
The 631 area code was created in 1999 as a split from 516 and now serves Suffolk County, the eastern part of Long Island.
Additionally, nearby overlays and adjacent codes – such as 718, 347, and 929 in New York City boroughs, and 212 in Manhattan – contribute to a complex but well-defined numbering ecosystem. These overlays help meet growing demand without disrupting existing numbers.
If you’re considering setting up a VoIP or virtual business line, understanding this local framework can help you make a smarter, more strategic choice.
A 516 number tells your audience you’re tied to Nassau County – an area known for its affluent suburbs, established institutions, and business activity – without needing to be physically present.
Why the 516 Area Code Still Matters Today
If your customers are in Nassau County or anywhere across Long Island, few numbers resonate more than 516. This isn’t just any area code – it’s a trusted, long-standing identifier that holds weight with locals, institutions, and businesses throughout New York.
For decades, 516 has been directly associated with stability, familiarity, and local presence in a highly competitive region. When someone within those areas sees a 516 number, it tells them immediately that the call is coming from nearby – not from some unknown or outsourced location.
For business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals, this perception has real value. A 516 number functions as a telecom trust signal that communicates location-based credibility.
People in and around Nassau County, from Garden City to Freeport, are more likely to engage with a number that feels local. That means higher answer rates, faster trust-building, and stronger customer conversion – even if you’re operating remotely or virtually.
The 516 area code is still widely used by:
| User Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Government offices | Maintains continuity and public trust through long-standing use |
| Medical and legal practices | Reinforces professionalism and location-based relevance |
| Local service providers | Enhances geographic legitimacy and reach |
| Remote/virtual businesses | Establishes a “local anchor” without needing a physical office |
By choosing a 516 number, you’re tapping into decades of telecom and geographic recognition in New York State.
It supports geo-targeting strategies, strengthens your local branding, and creates an immediate mental association with Long Island reliability. This is especially critical when you’re competing against newer overlays like 631, 347, or 929, which don’t carry the same weight of legacy recognition.
Whether you’re setting up client-facing lines, running outbound campaigns, or just trying to look legitimate to customers on Long Island, the 516 area code gives you an advantage in perception and trust. It signals that your brand is rooted, reachable, and relevant to the communities you serve.
How to Get a 516 Phone Number (Even If You’re Not in New York)
If you’re building a brand that targets Long Island or clients in Nassau County, having a 516 phone number gives you an instant layer of local credibility – even without a physical address in New York.
Thanks to modern telecommunications infrastructure, you can secure a 516 number from anywhere using virtual phone systems, VoIP platforms, or cloud-based call services designed to support location-independent businesses.
Step-by-Step: Getting a 516 Number from PressOne without Being in New York
Step 1: Choose a Subscription Plan
Visit the PressOne International number pricing page and choose a preferred plan. You can either choose to subscribe for just a 516 area code number for ₦15,000 (~$10), subscribe to a 516 area code phone number and a 516 area code address for your business at ₦25,000 (~$16), or Just a 516 area code address for ₦10,000 (~$7).
PressOne 516 Area Code Number and Address Pricing Page
Step 2: Select a Preferred 929 Area Code Phone Number
Use the dropdown to select “New York” and then, type “516” into the search box to select from a list of legitimate 516 area code phone numbers. Once you’ve chosen a preferred number, click on “continue”.
Step 3: Provide Your Basic Information
Provide your personal and business details, as well as an existing and accessible phone number to use for future log ins.
Step 4: Review Your Order and Make Payment, and Own a 516 Area Code Phone Number
Once you’re done providing your details, review you order and proceed to make payment using either you card or a bank transfer.
Is the 516 Area Code Still Available or Being Exhausted?
Area code availability is a legitimate concern – especially if you’re trying to establish a trusted local presence in a high-demand region like Nassau County.
The 516 area code, while still active and assignable, operates in a constrained number pool. As population growth and device proliferation continue across Long Island, there’s a high chance of potential exhaustion of the 516.
That said, the area code remains available for both traditional lines and virtual phone number provisioning. If you’re sourcing your number through a VoIP or cloud-based phone system like PressOne, you’re not competing for availability in the same way as physical carriers. PressOne draws from a broader pool of assignable numbers, giving you continued access to 516 despite regional constraints.
The sustainability of the 516 code is being actively tracked through telecom regulatory bodies, and if exhaustion thresholds are reached, NANPA may introduce an overlay relief plan – similar to what’s been implemented in nearby areas like 212/646 in Manhattan or 718/347/929 in the outer boroughs.
For you, the key takeaway is this: virtual numbers sidestep many of the geographic constraints that affect traditional carriers. As long as your provider has inventory, you can still secure a 516 number and benefit from its strong association with local branding, telecom legitimacy, and geo-targeted outreach – even from outside New York.
If local credibility matters to your business or outreach strategy, acting before a potential overlay is introduced could give you an advantage. Once overlays go live, the original code (like 516) becomes even more trusted and recognizable – making it harder to acquire, but more valuable to own.
516 Area Code vs Nearby Area Codes: What’s the Difference?
Choosing the right area code impacts how your calls are perceived, how easily local customers trust your outreach, and how aligned your number feels with your geographic or brand intent.
If you’re targeting Long Island, New York City, or nearby boroughs, knowing the difference between the 516 area code and surrounding codes helps you make a more strategic decision – especially when appearance of location, call answer rates, and local brand familiarity are part of your goals.
Here’s a quick comparison of 516 and the other commonly associated area codes in the region:
| Area Code | Primary Region | Known For | Perceived Caller Location | Use Case Fit for You |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 516 | Nassau County (Western Long Island) | Legacy Long Island code with strong local trust | Long Island, suburban NY | Best for targeting Nassau County with local branding |
| 631 | Suffolk County (Eastern Long Island) | 1999 split from 516; covers more suburban/rural Long Island areas | Eastern Long Island | Ideal if you’re reaching eastern communities on the island |
| 718 | NYC outer boroughs | Covers Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island | Metro NYC outer boroughs | Use if audience spans multiple boroughs with broad recognition |
| 347 | Overlay for 718 | Same region as 718; newer, less “local” in appearance | Similar to 718 | Less impact for geo-trust; may look less familiar or newer |
| 929 | Second overlay for 718 | Adds number availability in NYC boroughs | NYC outer boroughs | Less recognizable; may be seen as generic or new |
| 212 | Manhattan (original code) | Historic and prestigious; extremely limited availability | Manhattan | High-status signal; ideal if branding to upscale NYC audience |
| 917 | NYC-wide overlay (landline/mobile) | First NYC-wide mobile overlay; highly recognizable | Anywhere in NYC | Good choice for broader NYC credibility across all boroughs |
Using a 516 number clearly signals you’re based in or serve Nassau County, giving you an edge if you’re looking to build trust with residents or businesses in this part of Long Island.
Compared to 631, which skews more suburban-rural, 516 retains stronger legacy recognition. Compared to 718, 929, and 347, which feel distinctly urban and borough-based, 516 carries a suburban, family-and-business friendly association. And unlike 212 or 917, which are more Manhattan-centric or citywide, 516 grounds you in Long Island’s economic and residential core.
If your objective is to strengthen local presence, enhance perceived legitimacy, or drive response rates in the Nassau County region, 516 delivers more alignment than any neighboring code.
Matching your number to your audience’s location expectations helps lower friction and supports better outcomes across both business and personal communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 516 Area Code Still in Use?
Yes. The 516 area code is actively in use and continues to serve Nassau County on Long Island, New York. It has not been replaced, phased out, or overlaid. While demand has grown, the code remains intact and is still issued to new users, especially through VoIP platforms and virtual phone number providers.
Can You Get a 516 Number If You’re Not Based in New York?
You can. With a cloud-based phone system like PressOne, it’s possible to obtain a 516 number from anywhere. This allows remote teams, entrepreneurs, and national businesses to create a local presence in Nassau County without needing a physical address.
Why Does the Area Code on a Caller ID Matter?
Area codes act as telecom trust signals. A 516 number instantly suggests geographic familiarity to anyone in or around Long Island. If you’re running outreach campaigns, managing local clients, or handling inbound calls, this sense of proximity often increases answer rates, improves brand legitimacy, and builds consumer trust faster than unfamiliar or generic codes.
What’s the Difference Between 516 and Nearby Area Codes?
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516 covers Nassau County and holds strong local identity.
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631 covers Suffolk County, the eastern part of Long Island.
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718, 347, and 929 are assigned to NYC’s outer boroughs.
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212 and 917 signal Manhattan and legacy NYC presence.
Choosing 516 aligns your communication with Long Island communities, which matters when location trust and local branding are key.
Will 516 Run Out of Numbers?
The North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) monitors number usage. While 516 has seen increased demand, it hasn’t reached the threshold requiring an overlay or split.
Virtual carriers often maintain number inventory that extends availability beyond what’s visible to the public, meaning you can still access 516 numbers through select providers.
Conclusion
f your goal is to build local credibility in Nassau County or expand reach into Long Island’s business and residential markets, the 516 area code offers a clear strategic advantage. It signals geographic trust, aligns with New York State regional identity, and enhances the perceived legitimacy of your outreach – especially for prospects who screen calls based on location or familiarity.
For brands and professionals that depend on geo-targeted marketing, regional loyalty, or location-based conversion behaviors, a 516 number functions as a telecom trust signal. This isn’t about vanity or aesthetics – it’s about context. When your number aligns with the caller’s geographic expectation, you reduce resistance, increase response rates, and create more favorable first impressions.
You don’t need to be physically located in New York to use a 516 number effectively. With virtual phone systems and VoIP platforms, you can activate a local presence that supports local branding, without the cost or complexity of opening a physical location. That presence can help differentiate your service, build client trust, or anchor your brand in one of the most economically active counties in New York.
If you’re aiming to boost call engagement, improve brand resonance, or establish territorial relevance within Long Island’s western corridor, the 516 area code remains a high-value choice. It’s still assignable, widely recognized, and tightly connected to the entities – Nassau County, Long Island, and New York State – that carry strong commercial, cultural, and residential significance.
Choose 516 if your communication strategy benefits from being seen as local, established, and New York-credible.
