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).
Geographic Coverage
Area code 515 serves Iowa, primarily the Des Moines area, in the Central Time (CT). It covers 144 communities. The geographic center of this area code is approximately 42.20°N, 93.91°W.
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 94. The median household income is $81,621, which is near the national median of $78,538. Approximately 37.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.0%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%, which is lower than the national rate of 12.4%.
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,301,928
- Population Density
- 82 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 94 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $81,621near U.S. median (U.S.: $78,538)
- Poverty Rate
- 9.6%below U.S. average (U.S.: 12.4%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.7%below U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+37.3%near U.S. average (U.S.: 35.0%)High School or Lower28.1%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates.See Sources for details.
Geographic Coverage
State
IA
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
Time Zone
- Central Time (CT)
Current Time
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% |
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 515.
Other Area Codes in Iowa
Area codes that also serve Iowa, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 515 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 Gilbert 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 515 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.