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Northern Indiana Area Codes (219, 574, 260)

A Consumer Fact Sheet from the
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor

Two new area codes took effect in Indiana in 2002. These changes do not affect the following:

  • 911 calls,
  • Long distance telephone rates,
  • Local telephone rates, or
  • Local (free) calling area boundaries (even if a local area now has 2 area codes).

Timetable

On January 15, 2002, the 219 area, that had served the northern third of Indiana since the 1940s, was divided into three regions:

  • Most of Northwest Indiana (including Lake and Porter counties) retains the 219 area code.
  • The central part of the former 219 area (including South Bend and Elkhart) now uses the new 574 area code.
  • Northeastern Indiana (including Fort Wayne) now uses the new 260 area code.

A Permissive Dialing period was in effect from January 15, 2002 until June 14, 2002.

  • This five-month period, similar to those used in other new area code implementations throughout North America, allowed consumers to use either the new codes or 219 to reach numbers in the new 574 and 260.
  • The permissive dialing period was designed to give consumers and telecommunications providers time to adjust to the area code changes.

On June 14, 2002, Mandatory Dialing for the new area codes took effect.

  • Consumers are no longer able to use the 219 area code to reach numbers in the 574 and 260 areas.
  • Until July 29, 2002, consumers who try to reach 574 or 260 numbers by dialing 219 will hear recorded messages advising them to redial with the correct area code.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did we need new area codes?

The telephone numbers available for distribution to northern Indiana telecommunications providers were nearly depleted before the new area codes were assigned. The high demand was created largely by cellular phones, fax machines, pagers, computer modems and other telecommunications devices. “Number depletion,” as the telecommunications industry refers to it, is happening throughout North America.

How were the new area codes assigned?

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) started a proceeding to examine the best solutions to this problem in September 1999. After several hearings and public meetings, it was determined that 2 new area codes were needed. The IURC conducted a random drawing in July 2001 to assign the new area codes to their respective regions.

Will these changes result in higher rates?

No. Area code changes do not affect local or long distance telephone rates. They also do not change local calling area boundaries, even if different parts of a local calling area will have different area codes.

How long will the new area codes last?

According to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), the new 219, 574 and 260 area codes are expected to have life-spans of just over 20 years.

Are similar changes in store for the rest of Indiana?

The 317, 765 and 812 area codes may also see changes in the next few years. However, the OUCC, IURC and telecommunications industry are making efforts, including the use of number conservation measures, to extend the lives of all Indiana area codes.

What if I still have questions about these changes?

Your local telephone company or the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) can help. Our consumer services staff is available to assist you and can be reached toll-free at 1-888-441-2494 or online at www.IN.gov/OUCC.

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Northern Indiana's Area Codes Now Include the Following Exchanges:

219:

Brook, Cedar Lake, Chesterton, Crown Point, Demotte, Dyer, East Chicago, Francesville, Gary, Goodland, Hammond, Hanna, Hebron, Highland, Hobart, Kentland, Kouts, La Crosse, Lake Station, Lake Village, Lakes of the Four Seasons, LaPorte, Lowell, Medaryville, Merrillville, Michigan City, Monon, Morocco, Mount Ayr, Portage, Remington, Rensselaer, Reynolds, Rolling Prairie, Roselawn, St. John, San Pierre, Union Mills, Valparaiso, Wanatah, Westville, Wheatfield, Wheeler, Whiting, Wolcott

574:

Akron, Argos, Atwood, Bourbon, Bremen, Bristol, Buffalo, Burket, Burnettsville, Burrows, Camden, Claypool, Culver, Deer Creek, Dunlap, Elkhart, Flora, Fulton, Galveston, Goshen, Hamlet, Idaville, Kewanna, Knox, Lapaz, Leesburg, Logansport, Lucerne, Macy, Mentone, Middlebury, Milford, Millersburg, Millwood, Monterey, Monticello, Nappanee, New Carlisle, New Paris, North Judson, North Liberty, North Webster, Osceola, Pierceton, Plymouth, Rochester, Royal Center, South Bend, Star City, Syracuse, Tippecanoe, Twelve Mile, Wakarusa, Walkerton, Walton, Warsaw, Winamac, Wyatt, Yeoman

260:

Albion, Andrews, Angola, Arcola, Ashley, Auburn, Avilla, Berne, Bippus, Bluffton, Butler, Bryant, Churubusco, Columbia City, Corunna, Craigville, Cromwell, Decatur, Etna, Fort Wayne, Fremont, Garrett, Geneva, Hamilton, Harlan, Howe, Huntertown, Huntington, Kendallville, Kimmell, Lagrange, Lagro, Larwill, Laud, Leo, Liberty Center, Ligonier, Linn Grove, Markle, Mongo, Monroe, Monroeville, New Haven, North Manchester, Orland, Ossian, Pennville, Petroleum, Pleasant Lake, Pleasant Mills, Poe-Hoagland, Pokagon, Portland, Preble, Reservoir, Roanoke, Saint Joe, Salamonia, Shipshewana, Sidney, Silver Lake, South Milford, South Whitley, Spencerville, Tocsin, Topeka, Tri Lakes, Uniondale, Urbana, Wabash, Warren, Waterloo, Wawaka, Wolcottville, Woodburn, Zanesville

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The following prefixes formerly in the 219 area have been transferred to the new 574 area code:

202, 203, 204, 206, 208, 209, 210, 214, 215, 216, 220, 223, 224, 225, 227, 229, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 239, 240, 243, 245, 246, 247, 250, 251, 252, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 271, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 280, 282, 283, 284, 286, 287, 288, 289, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 298, 299, 304, 305, 315, 320, 321, 323, 328, 329, 332, 340, 342, 353, 354, 360, 361, 370, 371, 372, 376, 382, 383, 386, 389, 453, 457, 472, 491, 498, 505, 514, 516, 518, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 526, 527, 528, 529, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 542, 546, 549, 551, 555, 556, 566, 581, 583, 584, 586, 590, 594, 595, 596, 598, 601, 603, 606, 607, 612, 621, 626, 631, 633, 634, 642, 643, 646, 651, 652, 653, 654, 656, 658, 664, 674, 675, 679, 686, 699, 702, 707, 709, 721, 722, 725, 727, 732, 735, 737, 739, 753, 772, 773, 784, 806, 807, 817, 821, 822, 825, 826, 830, 831, 832, 834, 835, 842, 848, 857, 858, 859, 862, 867, 875, 876, 889, 891, 893, 896, 903, 913, 930, 935, 936, 941, 943, 946, 948, 952, 965, 966, 967, 968, 970, 974, 993

The following prefixes formerly in the 219 area have been transferred to the new 260 area code:

207, 213, 217, 221, 238, 244, 248, 281, 290, 312, 316, 318, 319, 327, 330, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 341, 343, 344, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 366, 367, 368, 373, 375, 377, 381, 385, 387, 388, 396, 401, 402, 403, 404, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 449, 450, 451, 452, 454, 455, 456, 458, 459, 460, 461, 463, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 475, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 499, 501, 502, 503, 504, 507, 517, 519, 525, 530, 541, 543, 547, 553, 557, 558, 560, 562, 563, 564, 565, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 578, 579, 580, 582, 585, 587, 589, 591, 592, 593, 597, 599, 602, 609, 610, 618, 619, 622, 623, 624, 625, 627, 632, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 657, 665, 667, 668, 672, 673, 676, 691, 692, 693, 694, 698, 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 708, 710, 715, 723, 724, 726, 728, 729, 731, 744, 745, 747, 748, 749, 750, 758, 760, 761, 768, 774, 780, 782, 786, 799, 802, 804, 818, 820, 823, 824, 827, 829, 833, 837, 839, 854, 856, 868, 894, 897, 908, 909, 917, 919, 920, 925, 927, 960, 969, 982, 995, 997

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The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents the interests of all utility consumers and the general public in matters related to the provision of utility services. The agency is active in proceedings before regulatory and legal bodies, and committed to giving consumers a voice in the creation of utility service policy.

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South 
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2215

Toll-free: 1-888-441-2494
Voice/TDD: (317) 232-2494
Fax: (317) 232-5923
Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.state.in.us

(6/14/02)