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List of Iowa area codes
List of Iowa area codes
List of Iowa area codes
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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 and neighboring regions

The state of Iowa is divided into five numbering plan areas (NPAs) in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), with one area code assigned to each. None of the NPAs are expected to experience central office code exhaustion in the immediate future. It is one of the few states that has not implemented an overlay complex in any of its areas.

Area
code		 Year Parent
NPA		 Numbering plan area
319 1947 – Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Iowa City, and Cedar Falls
515 1947 – Des Moines, Ames, West Des Moines, Urbandale and Fort Dodge
712 1947 – Sioux City, Council Bluffs
641 2000 515 Marshalltown, Mason City, Ottumwa, Tama
563 2001 319 Davenport, Dubuque, Bettendorf, Clinton, Muscatine

See also

[edit]
  • "Area Code Maps". North American Numbering Plan Administrator.


Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of Iowa area codes

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from Grokipedia
The list of Iowa area codes comprises the five active numbering plan areas (NPAs) serving the state within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP): 319, 515, 563, 641, and 712. These area codes divide Iowa geographically, with 319 and 563 covering eastern Iowa (including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Iowa City, Burlington, Davenport, and Dubuque); 515 serving central Iowa (including Des Moines, Ames, and West Des Moines); 641 encompassing southern and parts of central Iowa (including Mason City, Ottumwa, Marshalltown, and Creston); and 712 handling western Iowa (including Sioux City, Council Bluffs, and Storm Lake). Iowa's numbering plan originated in 1947 with the establishment of three original NPAs under the inaugural NANP: 319 for eastern Iowa, 515 for central Iowa, and 712 for western Iowa, reflecting the state's initial telephone infrastructure needs. Subsequent growth prompted splits to conserve numbering resources; 641 entered service on July 9, 2000, relieving 515 by taking southern portions of its territory, while 563 was introduced on March 25, 2001, to split 319 and serve northeastern Iowa, including areas along the Mississippi River. None of Iowa's NPAs currently feature overlays, and all remain in active service; as of April 2025, NANPA projects no exhaust before 2034 (earliest for 641 in Q4 2034), with others later. All NPAs require mandatory 10-digit local dialing as of November 2025, with 319 and 515 transitioning on October 24, 2021, to accommodate the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and 712 on November 17, 2025.

History

Original Assignment

The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was developed in 1947 by AT&T and Bell Laboratories to enable direct-dial long-distance calling across North America, replacing operator-assisted connections with a standardized system of three-digit area codes prefixed to seven-digit local numbers. This plan initially assigned 86 area codes to geographic regions based on population density and telephone traffic projections, dividing the United States and Canada into numbering plan areas (NPAs). Iowa received three original area codes in 1947 due to its population distribution and the state's size, which warranted multiple codes to balance call volumes and central office capacities. These were 319 for the eastern third of the state, including Cedar Rapids and the Davenport/Quad Cities area; 515 for the central region, encompassing Des Moines; and 712 for the western third, covering Sioux City and Council Bluffs. The boundaries generally followed major rivers and population centers, with 319 serving areas east of the and into central-eastern counties, 515 focusing on the Des Moines metro and surrounding mid-state counties, and 712 handling the western plains and border communities. The assignment of relatively low-digit codes like 319 and 515 to Iowa's more populous eastern and central areas reflected the rotary dial technology of the era, where lower numbers required less finger rotation and thus shorter dialing times, prioritizing efficiency for high-traffic regions. In contrast, 712, with its higher digits, was allocated to the less densely populated west. These original codes served Iowa without overlays or splits until population growth and telephone demand necessitated expansions in later decades.

Subsequent Splits

As telephone demand grew in following the initial assignment of area codes in , the original codes 515 and 319 faced exhaustion of available central office prefixes (NXX codes), necessitating splits to allocate more numbers. In 2000, was introduced via a geographic split from 515 to serve southern and central , becoming effective on July 9, 2000. This marked the first area code split in since the system's inception. A permissive dual-dialing period allowed callers to use either 515 or 641 for affected numbers until mandatory use of 641 began on December 3, 2000. The following year, was created through a split from 319 to cover northeastern and southeastern , including cities such as Davenport and Dubuque, with service starting on March 25, 2001. Similar to the prior split, a transition phase permitted dialing with either 319 or 563 until mandatory 563 dialing took effect on December 2, 2001. These splits were driven primarily by the depletion of NXX codes in the parent areas, resulting from population increases, business expansion, and the proliferation of additional lines including and early mobile services. Residents in the newly designated regions were required to update their phone numbers and related systems, such as services and , during the permissive periods to minimize disruption, though unaffected areas retained their original codes.

Current Area Codes

319

is a geographic telephone numbering plan area in the (NANP) that serves the east-central and southeastern portions of , encompassing roughly the eastern third of the state excluding the northeastern and far southeastern regions along the . Established in as one of the original 86 area codes created by the , it was assigned to cover the entire eastern third of without an overlay, providing dedicated numbering resources for the region's growing needs. The boundaries of area code 319 generally follow county lines, spanning approximately 25 counties in the region, including Linn, Johnson, Black Hawk, , and Benton counties. Major population centers within its service area include Cedar Rapids, the largest city and a key economic hub with a diverse manufacturing and agricultural base; Iowa City, home to the and known for its educational and cultural significance; Waterloo and Cedar Falls, twin cities with strong industrial and educational ties; and Burlington, a historic riverfront community. While the area code originally extended to Dubuque, that city and much of the northeast are now primarily served by following a 2001 split. All of area code 319 operates in the (UTC−6 during standard time and UTC−5 during ), aligning with the broader time observance. It supports around 200 telephone exchanges (central office codes) and serves an approximate of 770,000 residents (as of 2025 estimate based on 2020 ), reflecting the region's mix of urban centers, rural communities, and institutions like universities and facilities. No overlay exists, meaning 319 remains the sole area code for its territory, with ongoing management by the Administrator to ensure resource availability projected beyond 2040.

515

Area code 515 serves north-central , encompassing the and surrounding regions. Established on , 1947, as one of the original codes in the , it originally covered a broader portion of central before a split in 2000 that adjusted its boundaries to focus on the northern and central parts of the state. Today, it includes key population centers such as Des Moines, the state capital and Iowa's largest city with a population of approximately 212,927 residents, as well as West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Ames, and Fort Dodge. These areas represent high-density urban and suburban hubs, with Des Moines serving as the economic and political core of the region. The territory of area code 515 spans 20 counties and 109 cities, supporting approximately 900,000 residents (as of 2025 estimate based on 2020 Census), with the highest concentration in the Des Moines metro area. This coverage facilitates communication for diverse communities, including agricultural districts around Ames and industrial zones near Fort Dodge. The entire region observes the Central Time Zone, operating at UTC-6 during standard time and UTC-5 during daylight saving time, aligning with most of Iowa's temporal framework. Telephone service in 515 relies on numerous local exchanges to handle the demands of this populous corridor, ensuring reliable connectivity for both residential and business users.

563

Area code 563 serves northeastern and extreme southeastern Iowa, encompassing communities along the from the region to Dubuque. Introduced on March 25, 2001, as a split from the original 319 area code to accommodate increasing demand for telephone numbers, it became the primary code for this river-adjacent territory. The region features a mix of urban centers and rural areas, with the serving as a key geographic and economic boundary. Key population centers within 563 include Davenport, the largest city and a hub of the metropolitan area; Bettendorf, directly across from Davenport; Dubuque, a historic city in the northeast; , known for its industrial heritage; and Muscatine, a smaller river town in the southeast. These cities, along with surrounding towns like Decorah, Maquoketa, and Eldridge, highlight the area's focus on manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism tied to the riverfront. The code covers 16 counties and over 100 communities, emphasizing riverfront development and cross-state connectivity with and . The area code supports approximately 525,000 residents (as of 2025 estimate based on 2020 ) through a network of numerous exchanges, facilitating communication in this densely populated corridor of Iowa's eastern border. All numbers operate in the (UTC-6 standard, UTC-5 daylight saving).

641

serves southern , encompassing a mix of rural agricultural areas and smaller urban centers primarily south of Des Moines. It was established on July 9, 2000, through a split from the original to accommodate growing demand for numbers in the region. The area code covers approximately 41 counties and 215 cities, with key centers including Mason City, Ottumwa, Marshalltown, and , where plays a dominant role in the local economy and lower urban densities prevail compared to northern . It supports around 700 exchanges (prefixes) and serves an approximate of 475,000 residents (as of 2025 estimate based on 2020 ). All locations within area code 641 observe the , which operates on UTC-6 during and UTC-5 during .

712

Area code 712 serves the western third of , encompassing the valley and bordering the states of to the south and west and to the north. Established in January 1947 as one of the original area codes in the , it remains unchanged without any splits or overlays. The region includes 32 counties, such as Woodbury, Pottawattamie, , and , supporting a landscape of rural communities and agricultural lands along the river basin. Key population centers within area code 712 include Sioux City, the largest city with a focus on and ; Council Bluffs, part of the Omaha metropolitan area and serving as a key border hub; Storm Lake, known for its educational institutions and food processing; and Spencer, a center for retail and agriculture-related services. These cities anchor a network of over 250 smaller communities, highlighting the area's emphasis on cross-state economic ties. The economy centers on , including corn, , and production in the fertile valley, alongside border commerce with neighboring states. The area operates in the (UTC-6 standard, UTC-5 daylight saving). It supports approximately 626 telephone prefixes and serves around 560,000 residents (as of 2025 estimate based on 2020 Census), with communities geared toward farming, transportation, and regional logistics.

References

  1. https://secure.nanpa.com/public-report/npa/geographic-use
  2. https://www.allareacodes.com/iowa_area_codes.htm
  3. https://www.allareacodes.com/319
  4. https://www.allareacodes.com/515
  5. https://www.allareacodes.com/712
  6. https://www.wirefly.com/area-codes/641
  7. https://www.allareacodes.com/563
  8. https://www.nanpa.com/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-1NPAExhaustProjectionsFinal.pdf
  9. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-371188A2.pdf
  10. https://northwestiowanow.com/news/278872-10-digit-dialing-for-local-calls/
  11. https://horizonelectronics.com/north-american-numbering-plan/
  12. https://cnac.ca/npa_codes/na_numbering_plan.htm
  13. https://www.area-codes.com/area-code-history.asp
  14. https://talkroute.com/advanced-history-north-american-numbering-plan/
  15. https://www.lincmad.com/table1947.html
  16. https://99percentinvisible.org/article/dialing-around-how-rotary-phones-shaped-the-distribution-of-us-area-codes/
  17. https://areacodes.fandom.com/wiki/Codes
  18. https://www.nanpa.com/npa-relief/planning-letters
  19. https://www.allareacodes.com/641
  20. https://www.sent.dm/resources/understanding-area-code-641-coverage-cities-and-more
  21. https://www.belmondnews.com/news/new-area-code-not-always-working/article_582b0102-4e01-508c-815e-aca85fbf4c2a.html
  22. https://www.waukonstandard.com/content/new-area-code-now-mandatory
  23. https://iowa.phonenumbers.org/641-area-code/
  24. https://iowa.phonenumbers.org/563-area-code/
  25. https://globegazette.com/article_6cd294dd-de4e-51f8-9bb2-21774bb03aa3.html
  26. https://www.waukonstandard.com/content/dialing-563-becomes-mandatory-sunday
  27. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-319.asp
  28. https://zipatlas.com/us/area-code-319.htm
  29. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-319
  30. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-515.asp
  31. https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/iowa
  32. https://www.acepeak.ai/blog/515-area-code/
  33. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-515
  34. https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/usa/des-moines
  35. https://www.globalcallforwarding.com/us-area-codes/563-area-code-iowa-location-history-details-and-phone-numbers/
  36. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-563.asp
  37. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-563
  38. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-641.asp
  39. https://www.whitepages.com/phone/1-641
  40. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-641
  41. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-408489A1.pdf
  42. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-712.asp
  43. https://www.areacodelocations.info/7/712.html
  44. https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1664&context=pias
  45. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-712
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