Area Code 856

Where Is Area Code 856?

Area code 856 is the area code for southwestern New Jersey. Area code 856 was put into service on June 12, 1999, and was created from a split of area code 609. Area code 856 is located in the Eastern Time Zone and covers Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, and Salem County.

Camden is located in New Jersey and is the county seat of Camden County. Going back in history, initial European activity in Camden occurred along the Delaware River. The Dutch West India Company built Fort Nassau in 1626, which served as a trading center and storehouse until it was dismantled in 1651. In 1673, a group of New Jersey Quakers bought the land, which experienced much growth afterwards. The growth of the colony directly resulted from the success of Philadelphia, a Quaker colony across the Delaware River. To facilitate trade between the two colonies, a string of ferries were established. The new settlements along the Delaware River that were created after the ferry system would eventually develop into Camden. Three families laid the foundation of Camden, however it was the Cooper family that had the most impact on Camden; Jacob Cooper was the one who named the town Camden. Camden was incorporated in 1828 and then became the county seat of Camden County in 1844. During the first half of the 20th century, Camden was an industrialized city. During the second half of the 20th century, Camden experienced economic stagnation and deindustrialization, which resulted in a loss of manufacturing jobs, a plummet in population, and civil unrest and criminal activity. In an attempt to revitalize itself, Camden has moved its focus to education and medicine.

When it comes to the economy, around 45% of employment in Camden is in education and medicine. The top three largest employers in Camden are the Campbell Soup Company, the Cooper University Hospital, and the Delaware River Port Authority. Camden is home to one of the oldest paid fire departments in the United States. The highlight of Camden is the city’s waterfront, a tourist and entertainment district that has four main attractions and offers views of the Delaware River and the Philadelphia skyline. Points of interest in Camden include the Battleship New Jersey, the Adventure Aquarium, the BB&T Pavilion, the Camden Children’s Garden, and the Walt Whitman House. Unfortunately Camden has many environmental issues involving pollution and water contamination.

Cherry Hill Township is a township in Camden County in New Jersey. Cherry Hill is approximately 8 miles southeast of Philadelphia and has a humid subtropical climate. Cherry Hill has a population of 71,045 and the racial makeup of the township is 78.06% White, 11.69% Asian, 6.14% African American, and 5.64% Hispanic (2010 Census). Cherry Hill is a somewhat safe place to reside in. The majority of residents in Cherry Hill work elsewhere; they commute to Philadelphia, Camden, Trenton, and Princeton. The Cherry Hill Mall is the main shopping center in the area and is also known as the first enclosed shopping mall in the eastern United States.

Vineland is a city in Cumberland County in New Jersey. Vineland is known for being the city where Thomas Bramwell Welch founded Welch’s Grape Juice. Vineland is also known as the “Dandelion Capital of the World.” The city was formed in 1952 when Landis Township and Vineland Borough merged. Vineland has a population of 60,724 and the racial makeup of the city is 67.03% White, 38.03% Hispanic, 14.16% African American, and 1.71% Asian (2010 Census). Unfortunately Vineland has a high crime rate and is considered a dangerous city to reside in. One of the main points of interest in Vineland is the Delsea Drive-In, the only drive-in theater in New Jersey.

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