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Area code 319
Area code 319
Area code 319
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Area code 319Area code 563Area code 515Area code 641Area code 712Area code 605Area code 402Area code 660Area code 507Area code 608Area code 815Area code 309Area code 217
Numbering plan areas of Iowa with the red area indicating area code 319

Area code 319 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for the southeastern and east-central parts of the U.S. state of Iowa.

Major cities in the numbering plan area (NPA) include Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Oelwein, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, and Waterloo.

When the first nationwide numbering plan was implemented in 1947, despite its relatively low population, Iowa was divided into three numbering plan areas (NPAs), with each border line running roughly in north–south directions.

Area code 319 was assigned to the eastern part, and stretched along the entire border with Wisconsin and Illinois. By the end of the 20th century, the available telephone number pool was depleting rapidly because of the increase in mobile devices, demand for telephone lines for computer equipment, FAX machines, and other services. In late 2000 it was announced that a new area code 563 would be assigned to northeastern Iowa. Cell phone service providers advocated an overlay plan, so that it would not require reconfiguration of all cell phones in the area.

However, overlays were still a relatively new concept at the time, and were met with considerable resistance due to the requirements for ten-digit dialing and mixing of area codes within the same area. In the end, the administrative decision was to implement a geographic split, in which the northeastern portion of the numbering plan area, including Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, Decorah, Dubuque and Eldridge, received area code 563. The new numbering plan configuration became operational in March 2001, and the new dialing procedures were mandatory as of December 2001.

Prior to October 2021, area code 319 had telephone numbers assigned for the central office code 988. In 2020, 988 was designated nationwide as a dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which created a conflict for exchanges that permit seven-digit dialing. This area code was therefore scheduled to transition to ten-digit dialing by October 24, 2021.[1]

See also

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References

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Area code 319

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from Grokipedia
Area code 319 is a area code serving the east-central and southeastern portions of in the (NANP). Established in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes created by and the , it initially covered the entire eastern third of the state, stretching along the borders with and . Due to increasing demand for telephone numbers, the Iowa Utilities Board approved a split of area code 319 in October 2000, with the new introduced on March 25, 2001, for the northeastern region; this left 319 serving the remaining east-central and southeastern areas. The area code encompasses 25 counties and over 140 cities and towns, including major population centers such as Cedar Rapids (the second-largest city in ), (home to the ), Waterloo, Cedar Falls (home to the ), and Burlington. It operates in the and requires 10-digit local dialing since October 24, 2021, in compliance with (FCC) rules to facilitate access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. As of 2025, area code 319 has no overlay and is projected to exhaust its available numbers in 2041, according to Administration () forecasts.

History

Establishment

The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was established by AT&T in 1947 to create a standardized system for direct long-distance dialing across the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean, replacing operator-assisted calls with a ten-digit numbering format consisting of a three-digit area code, a three-digit central office code, and a four-digit line number. This plan initially assigned 86 area codes, or numbering plan areas (NPAs), designed to accommodate the existing telephone infrastructure, with each NPA capable of supporting up to 540 central offices to handle projected demand. Implementation began in 1951, but the codes were defined and assigned starting in 1947 to ensure nationwide coverage. Iowa, with its relatively low and rural character, received three original area codes to cover its expansive territory without overburdening any single NPA, reflecting the plan's approach to allocate larger geographic areas in less densely populated states. was specifically assigned to the eastern third of , spanning a broad swath from the boundary eastward across much of the state's eastern counties, including regions around major population centers that extended deep into the interior. This initial scope encompassed what would later be divided into multiple codes due to growth, but at establishment, it provided comprehensive coverage for eastern 's scattered communities and agricultural areas. The selection of 319 aligned with the NANP's geographic , where the first digit (3) denoted central U.S. regions, and the overall code was chosen to avoid conflicts with local central office prefixes while optimizing for low-traffic rural dialing patterns. Due to 's sparse settlement, the large initial area under 319 required fewer central offices initially, allowing full availability of all eligible central office codes (NXX formats where N is 2-9 and X is 0-9) from the outset, with no reservations or protections implemented at launch. Area code 319 was assigned in 1947. The transition to direct long-distance dialing using area codes in eastern began in the early 1950s, with numbers in key cities like Cedar Rapids and Iowa City incorporating the new format as infrastructure was updated.

2001 Split

By the late , area code 319 was projected to exhaust its available numbers due to population growth and rising demand, particularly in urban centers like Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. In response, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) evaluated relief options and approved a geographic split on October 27, 2000, choosing this method over an overlay to maintain seven-digit local dialing. The split became effective on March 25, 2001, introducing for northeastern , with permissive dialing allowed until the mandatory cutover on December 2, 2001; existing 319 numbers in the affected region remained usable during the transition period. The boundary followed roughly along Interstate 380 and U.S. Highway 218, retaining 319 for southeastern and east-central while assigning 563 to northeastern counties along the border, including Allamakee, Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, and Scott. Public reaction featured resistance in northeastern communities, exemplified by the City of Dubuque's advocacy to retain 319, prompting the IUB to launch education campaigns through media and local outreach to explain the changes and minimize disruption. The reconfiguration impacted hundreds of thousands of lines in the split region, successfully alleviating exhaustion without requiring immediate additional relief measures.

Geography

Coverage Area

Area code 319 serves the southeastern and east-central portions of , a region that borders along the to the east and extends to the southern boundary with . Following the 2001 geographic split, this numbering plan area excludes Iowa's northeastern quadrant, which was reassigned to the newly created area code 563. The northern boundary of 319 generally follows an irregular line along the I-380/U.S. Route 218 corridor, running southward from near the border through Waterloo and Cedar to Keokuk, with areas to the east of this corridor falling under 563. This territory covers about one-third of Iowa's eastern side, forming a wedge-shaped expanse that tapers southeastward, with boundaries largely conforming to county lines for administrative clarity. The landscape encompasses rural farmlands, fertile river valleys carved by the and its tributaries like the Iowa and Skunk rivers, and linear urban corridors along major highways and rail lines. The region is predominantly agricultural, dominated by corn, , and production that supports Iowa's role as a leading U.S. farming state, alongside industrial hubs focused on , , and logistics in key population centers. It also incorporates portions of the Iowa , particularly in southern Fayette County and adjacent locales, featuring unglaciated hills, sinkholes, springs, and diverse ecosystems that contrast with the surrounding flatlands.

Cities and Counties Served

Area code 319 serves several principal urban centers in eastern , each contributing distinct economic and cultural roles to the region. Cedar Rapids, the largest city in the area code with a 2020 population of 137,710 (estimated 136,874 as of 2024), functions as a major manufacturing hub, particularly in advanced manufacturing, , and bioscience industries. City, with 74,828 residents in 2020 (estimated 75,130 as of 2024), is a prominent university town anchored by the , a public research institution founded in 1847 that drives education, biomedical research, and cultural activities. Waterloo, home to 67,314 people in 2020 (estimated 67,706 as of 2024), serves as an industrial center with facilities supporting advanced manufacturing, rail services, and heavy industry through city-owned parks equipped for such operations. Cedar Falls, with a 2020 population of 40,713 (estimated 40,939 as of 2024), is education-focused, hosting the , which offers extensive programs in and supports the local through its large student body. Burlington, the southernmost major city with 23,982 residents in 2020 (estimated 22,756 as of 2024), operates as a river port on the , facilitating , , and along the . Beyond these urban anchors, area code 319 encompasses notable smaller communities that highlight the region's diverse heritage. Fort Madison, with a 2020 population of 10,270 (estimated 9,988 as of 2024), is recognized for its historic significance, centered around the reconstructed Old Fort Madison, a War of 1812-era U.S. military outpost established in 1808. Keokuk, population 9,900 in 2020 (estimated 9,607 as of 2024), is known as a key site for , featuring , completed in 1913 as the world's largest hydroelectric plant at the time and essential for barge traffic. Mount Pleasant, with 9,274 residents in 2020 (estimated 9,128 as of 2024), emphasizes , serving as a hub for crop and production supported by local extension services and farm supply networks. Oelwein, population 5,920 in 2020 (estimated 5,708 as of 2024), preserves rail history as the former "Hub City," where major lines like the Chicago Great Western converged, with museums now showcasing locomotive repair legacy from the late . The area code covers approximately 22 counties in total, with significant urban concentration along the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor. The most populous include Linn County (230,299 residents in 2020; estimated 229,917 as of 2024), home to Cedar Rapids and a center for manufacturing; Johnson County (152,854 residents in 2020; estimated 153,785 as of 2024), driven by City's educational institutions; and Black Hawk County (131,144 residents in 2020; estimated 130,492 as of 2024), featuring Waterloo's industrial base. Other key counties are Des Moines (38,910 residents in 2020; estimated 38,127 as of 2024), supporting Burlington's port activities; (33,555 residents in 2020; estimated 32,350 as of 2024), with historic river communities; and Henry (20,482 residents in 2020; estimated 20,343 as of 2024), focused on agriculture. Additional counties served include Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, , Cedar, Grundy, , Jefferson, Jones, Keokuk, Louisa, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Van Buren, and Washington, along with partial coverage in Fayette and Jackson counties.

Technical Details

Time Zone and Dialing

The entirety of area code 319 lies within the Central Time Zone (CT) of the United States, observing Central Daylight Time (CDT) during the seasonal daylight saving period from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Standard time in the region corresponds to UTC-6, advancing to UTC-5 during daylight saving time. Local calls within area code 319 traditionally used seven-digit dialing, with no intra-area code splits necessitating number permutation for connectivity. However, on October 24, 2021, mandatory ten-digit dialing (area code plus seven-digit number) was implemented for all local calls originating or terminating in the 319 area code, as required by the Federal Communications Commission to enable the 988 three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline without conflict. This change affects every telephone customer in the 319 overlay, ensuring that dialing seven digits alone will no longer complete local calls after the transition date. Local calling areas within 319 vary by specific , allowing toll-free connections between certain prefixes; for example, calls from Cedar Rapids exchanges to Waterloo are considered local. Some exchanges in 319 also extend local calling privileges to select prefixes in the adjacent 563 area code, depending on the carrier and rate center boundaries. For international and long-distance calls to numbers in area code 319, the standard format is used: +1 followed by the three-digit area code 319 and the seven-digit local number.

Numbering and Relief Planning

The administration of telephone numbering resources for area code 319 falls under the (NANP), with the (NANPA) responsible for assigning central office prefixes (NXX codes) using the thousands-block method, which allocates blocks of 1,000 numbers at a time to service providers to optimize efficiency. In , the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) provides regulatory oversight, ensuring compliance with state-specific numbering policies and coordinating with NANPA on resource allocation. As of the April 2025 2025-1 Numbering Resource Utilization and Forecast (NRUF) report, area code 319 remains stable following the 2001 split that created area code 563, with no immediate risk of exhaustion and no planned overlays or additional relief measures. The area code supports ongoing demand without significant pressure, reflecting effective post-split resource management. Area code 319 encompasses 792 possible central office codes (NXX from 200 to 999, excluding certain reserved blocks), of which a portion remains available for assignment; some codes are held in reserve for national purposes, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. These resources serve more than 140 communities across eastern Iowa through numerous rate centers, enabling localized service provisioning for urban centers like Cedar Rapids and rural areas alike. No new area code relief actions, such as splits or overlays, have been implemented since the geographic split, which remains the last major adjustment to the region's numbering plan. and the IUC continue to monitor demand drivers, including population growth in technology hubs and educational institutions like the in City, to anticipate any shifts in usage patterns. Projections from the April 2025 2025-1 NRUF indicate that central office code resources in area code 319 will suffice through the second quarter of 2041, barring unforeseen surges in demand; this timeline assumes continued optimization measures and moderate growth, with potential overlay planning only if forecasts shorten significantly.

References

  1. https://www.allareacodes.com/319
  2. https://www.allareacodes.com/iowa_area_codes.htm
  3. https://www.radioiowa.com/2000/10/28/utilities-board-splits-319-area-code/
  4. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-319.asp
  5. https://iuc.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2021/04/988-10-dd-faqs-final.pdf
  6. https://www.nanpa.com/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-1NPAExhaustProjectionsFinal.pdf
  7. https://www.nanpa.com/about
  8. https://212areacode.com/when-did-we-start-using-area-codes/
  9. https://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Notices/1999/fcc99122.pdf
  10. https://www.lincmad.com/table1947.html
  11. https://talkroute.com/advanced-history-north-american-numbering-plan/
  12. https://www.usmobile.com/blog/area-codes-the-north-american-numbering-plan-a-comprehensive-overview/
  13. https://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Reports/FCC-State_Link/Locator/ldc1q97.pdf
  14. https://iuc.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/files/records_center/reports/AnnualReport_CY1999.pdf
  15. https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/southeast-iowa-to-keep-old-area-code/article_9ae46116-88fe-59a1-893a-0ae542c8d8e7.html
  16. https://www.waukonstandard.com/content/new-area-code-now-mandatory
  17. https://globegazette.com/new-area-code-becomes-mandatory-in-eastern-iowa/article_a98b0ff3-3490-5800-bc48-54e279da6065.html
  18. https://www.waukonstandard.com/content/allamakee-county-assigned-563-area-code
  19. https://weblink.cityofdubuque.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=39441&dbid=0&repo=City-of-DBQ
  20. https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2020census/cities.pdf
  21. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/cedarrapidscityiowa
  22. https://www.cedarrapids.org/economic-development/industry-clusters/
  23. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/iowacitycityiowa
  24. https://uiowa.edu/
  25. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/waterloocityiowa
  26. https://www.cityofwaterlooiowa.com/visitors/economic_development/industrial_and_office_parks.php
  27. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/cedarfallscityiowa
  28. https://uni.edu/
  29. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/burlingtoncityiowa
  30. https://www.traveliowa.com/places/port-of-burlington-welcome-center/689/
  31. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fortmadisoncityiowa
  32. https://www.fortmadison-ia.com/203/History-of-Fort-Madison
  33. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/keokukcityiowa
  34. https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missions/navigation/lock-and-dam-information/lock-19/
  35. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/mountpleasantcityiowa
  36. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/henry/
  37. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/oelweincityiowa
  38. https://oelweinrailwaymuseum.org/
  39. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-319
  40. https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2020census/counties.pdf
  41. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html
  42. https://24timezones.com/319/area-code
  43. https://greatdata.com/info/currenttime
  44. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-371188A2.pdf
  45. https://www.cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/6753/17
  46. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2021/03/26/local-phone-calls-iowas-515-319-area-codes-soon-require-10-digit-dialing-fcc-verizon-centurylink-att/7016412002/
  47. https://localcallingguide.com/lca_prefix.php?npa=319
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  49. https://countrycode.org/usa
  50. https://www.rozper.com/blog/319-area-code/
  51. https://localcallingguide.com/lca_listexch.php?npa=319
  52. https://www.nanpa.com/npa-relief/npa-relief-planning
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