Area Code 319
Iowa
Area code 319 serves Iowa, primarily Cedar Rapids, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1947.
Area Code Splits
Parts of this area code’s original geographic region were later assigned new area codes through splits. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
Split into: area code 563 (Davenport).
Historical Timeline of Area Code 319
Area code 319 was created in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned to eastern Iowa along the Wisconsin and Illinois borders. Iowa unusually received three original area codes (712, 515, and 319) due to its relatively high 1947 population of approximately 2.5 million, which was substantial for a Midwestern state at that time. The code served Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, and the Quad Cities region. Source: LincMad 1947 List.
Key milestones:
- 1947: Created as one of the original 86 NPAs, assigned to eastern third of Iowa. Source: LincMad 1947 List
- 1951: Direct long-distance dialing using area codes began implementation in eastern Iowa, with Cedar Rapids and Iowa City incorporating the new format.
- 1999: Iowa Utilities Board petitioned FCC for delegated authority to implement number conservation methods for area codes 515 and 319. Source: FCC DA-99-2770
- 2000: FCC conditionally granted Iowa Commission authority for thousands-block number pooling in the 515 NPA but denied it for the 319 NPA, citing insufficient urgency. Source: FCC
- 2000: Iowa Utilities Board voted 2-1 on October 27 to split the 319 area code. Western portion (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Burlington) retained 319; eastern portion (Davenport, Clinton, Dubuque) received new code. Source: Radio Iowa
- 2001: Area code 563 created from the 319 split. Permissive dialing began March 25, 2001; mandatory dialing December 2, 2001. Source: Wikipedia
- 2021: Transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing effective October 24, 2021, due to FCC rule requiring 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline compatibility. Source: Wikipedia
The 2001 split resolved number exhaustion concerns projected for the end of 2001, with NANPA forecasting the 319 NPA would run out of available numbers without relief. The boundary followed the I-380/US-218 corridor from Waterloo through Cedar Rapids to Keokuk. Source: Mississippi Valley Publishing.
Unique Facts About Area Code 319
Area code 319 has several notable characteristics, including a controversial split decision, unusual state allocation history, and specific FCC regulatory actions. Source: Wikipedia.
- Controversial 2-1 Split Vote: The Iowa Utilities Board split vote on October 27, 2000 was decided 2-1 on the map division. Board members Susan Frye and Diane Munns voted to keep the western portion with 319, while Chairman Allan Thoms dissented and proposed drawing boundary lines from a hat. Source: Radio Iowa
- 10 Public Hearings with 70% Support: The Iowa Utilities Board conducted 10 public hearings in April and May 2000 regarding 319 relief, with nearly 70% of attendees favoring a geographic split over an overlay. Source: Mississippi Valley Publishing
- FCC Denied Thousands-Block Pooling: In 2001, the FCC denied Iowa's request to implement thousands-block number pooling specifically for the 319 NPA (DA-01-2479), citing that the area was not yet in number jeopardy, did not cover one of the largest 100 MSAs, and lacked sufficient LNP-capability data. This was a unique denial among state petitions. Source: Wikipedia
- Iowa's Unusual 3-Code Allocation: Iowa received three original area codes in 1947 (712, 515, 319) despite a population of only 2.5 million. This was more than many states with larger populations received, reflecting the NANP's geographic allocation approach for less densely populated states. Source: LincMad 1947 List
- Projected Exhaust Date Q2 2041: The April 2025 NRUF projection indicates area code 319 will exhaust available numbers in the second quarter of 2041, a stable projection since the 2001 split resolved immediate concerns.
The 2001 split boundary followed the I-380/US-218 corridor, with cell phone providers advocating for an overlay to avoid reprogramming, but public resistance to mandatory 10-digit dialing led to the geographic split decision. Source: Wikipedia.
FCC Regulatory History
Area code 319 has undergone three significant regulatory events over 25 years, involving FCC petitions, pooling authority decisions, and ultimately a geographic split to address number exhaustion. The regulatory arc began with Iowa's 1999 petition for delegated authority and culminated in the 2001 denial of thousands-block pooling for the 319 NPA. Source: FCC
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action and Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | IUB Petition | NSD File No. L-99-96, DA-99-2770 | Iowa Utilities Board petitioned FCC for delegated authority to implement number conservation methods for area codes 515 and 319. FCC established pleading cycle with comments due January 10, 2000. Source: FCC |
| 2000 | Conditional Pooling Grant | CC Docket No. 99-200, DA-00-1616 | FCC conditionally granted Iowa Commission authority for thousands-block number pooling in the 515 NPA but denied it for the 319 NPA, citing insufficient urgency and exclusion from top 100 MSAs. Source: FCC |
| 2001 | Pooling Denial for 319 | CC Docket No. 99-200, DA-01-2479 | FCC denied Iowa's request to implement thousands-block number pooling specifically for the 319 NPA. The area code was subsequently split, creating area code 563. Source: NANPA |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 319).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Linn, IA | 255,713 | 21.7% |
| Johnson, IA | 228,484 | 19.3% |
| Black Hawk, IA | 146,073 | 12.4% |
| Butler, IA | 68,341 | 5.8% |
| Grundy, IA | 60,584 | 5.1% |
| Benton, IA | 47,868 | 4.1% |
| Des Moines, IA | 44,384 | 3.8% |
| Washington, IA | 43,194 | 3.7% |
| Lee, IA | 35,045 | 3.0% |
| Buchanan, IA | 32,855 | 2.8% |
| Bremer, IA | 27,055 | 2.3% |
| Iowa, IA | 26,963 | 2.3% |
| Henry, IA | 25,951 | 2.2% |
| Cedar, IA | 20,054 | 1.7% |
| Jones, IA | 19,935 | 1.7% |
| Jefferson, IA | 19,287 | 1.6% |
| Louisa, IA | 18,978 | 1.6% |
| Tama, IA | 14,298 | 1.2% |
| Fayette, IA | 9,524 | 0.8% |
| Muscatine, IA | 8,089 | 0.7% |
| Delaware, IA | 8,084 | 0.7% |
| Keokuk, IA | 7,216 | 0.6% |
| Van Buren, IA | 6,011 | 0.5% |
| Poweshiek, IA | 4,935 | 0.4% |
| Clark, MO | 1,306 | 0.1% |
| Scotland, MO | 684 | 0.1% |
Call Context
This area code covers multiple cities and communities across a broad region in Iowa. It is one of the original area codes established when the North American Numbering Plan was created in 1947.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 319.
Other Area Codes in Iowa
Area codes that also serve Iowa, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 319 and how phone numbering works.
Phone numbers are assigned based on where the number was originally provisioned, not the caller's current location. Mobile phones retain their number when users move, and businesses may use numbers from regions where they don't have a physical presence. VoIP services can also provision numbers from virtually any area code.
Yes, mobile phones can have numbers from any area code in the region they were activated. Wireless carriers assign numbers from available pools regardless of phone type. When users change carriers or move to new areas, they typically keep their original number, which may have a different area code than their current location.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its general geographic region. For the specific number, options include using your carrier's caller ID features or checking public directories. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the FTC. To file a complaint about robocalls or spoofed numbers, visit the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. Keep in mind that caller ID can display any name the caller chooses to set.
While Columbus is a prominent city in this area code's coverage, the code serves the broader surrounding region as well. Area codes are assigned geographically and typically cover multiple cities, towns, and communities beyond any single anchor city.
Yes, this is one of the original area codes established in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was created. The initial set of area codes was designed to cover all of North America with a unified dialing system, and many of these original codes remain in use today, though some have been split or received overlays.
The estimated total population served by area code 319 is based on aggregated U.S. Census Bureau data for the counties within this area code. The population varies significantly between dense urban codes serving millions and rural codes covering smaller populations. You can find the specific population figure in the demographics section above.