Area Code 515

Iowa

Area code 515 serves Iowa, primarily Des Moines, 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 641 (Marshalltown).

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population: 1,301,928
Population Density: 82 people/sq mi
below U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income: $81,621
near U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
Poverty Rate: 9.6%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
Education Attainment: Bachelor's Degree+
37.3%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)
High School or Lower
28.1%

Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates. Population figures are approximate — see Sources & Methodology for details on how area code populations are derived.

See how this area code compares to all US area codes in the Statistics dashboard.

Time Zone

Central Time (CT)

NANPA Relief Status

According to the latest NANPA analysis (July 2026), this area code is not currently listed as exhausting within the next 36 months. No relief planning is in progress for this NPA.

Source: NANPA NPA Relief Planning Reports · See all relief planning statuses

Current Time

Central Time (CT)

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

Major Cities

Des Moines
Ankeny
West Des Moines
Ames
Urbandale
Waukee
Fort Dodge
Johnston
Altoona
Clive
Indianola
Grimes
Norwalk
Boone
Pleasant Hill
Bondurant
Perry
Nevada
Adel
Algona
Winterset
Windsor Heights
Humboldt
Huxley

and 120 more cities

Area Code 515 geographic coverage map (light mode)

History

Area code 515 is one of the original area codes established in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was created. Over time, area code area code 641 was split from 515.

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 515 is approximately 1,301,928. The population density is 82 people per square mile, which is lower than the national average of 93. The median household income is $81,621, which is near the national median of $75,144. Approximately 37.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 33.7%. This rate is higher than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%, which is lower than the national rate of 11.5%.

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 515).

County	Population	Share
Polk, IA	569,035	43.7%
Dallas, IA	161,963	12.4%
Warren, IA	115,166	8.8%
Story, IA	107,148	8.2%
Boone, IA	79,396	6.1%
Webster, IA	57,414	4.4%
Hamilton, IA	39,128	3.0%
Madison, IA	35,237	2.7%
Wright, IA	19,990	1.5%
Humboldt, IA	18,437	1.4%
Kossuth, IA	17,517	1.3%
Greene, IA	16,917	1.3%
Jasper, IA	14,412	1.1%
Adair, IA	13,141	1.0%
Guthrie, IA	10,519	0.8%
Marion, IA	9,237	0.7%
Hardin, IA	3,185	0.2%
Pocahontas, IA	3,025	0.2%
Palo Alto, IA	2,760	0.2%
Franklin, IA	2,423	0.2%
Hancock, IA	2,128	0.2%
Calhoun, IA	2,066	0.2%
Winnebago, IA	926	0.1%
Carroll, IA	758	0.1%

Area Code 515 Family Tree

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Total Codes

Splits

Overlays

Max Depth

All Descendants

Code ▲	State	Type	In Service	Parent
641	IA	split	09-Jul-2000	515

Area code 515 was originally assigned in 01-Jan-1947 to serve IA. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.