Area Code 518

New York

Area code 518 serves New York, primarily Albany, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1947.

Published: Verified against NANPA and FCC records

Overlay Area Code

This area code shares its geographic footprint with an overlay code, so the same cities are served by two area codes. Because overlays leave existing numbers untouched, this region's relief planning favors adding codes over redrawing boundaries.

The codes serving this same region: area code 838 (Albany).

With prefix utilization already at 96.9%, numbering resources here are under sustained pressure — context that explains why overlays were introduced.

In service since: 01-Jan-1947

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population
1,925,757
Population Density
106 people/sq mi
above U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income
$81,528
near U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
Poverty Rate
11.8%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
Education Attainment
Bachelor's Degree+
36.8%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)
High School or Lower
29.9%

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 income ranking and density ranking.

Time Zone

  • Eastern Time (ET)

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

Eastern Time (ET)
 
 

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

NY

Major Cities

  • Albany
  • Schenectady
  • Troy
  • Saratoga Springs
  • Rotterdam
  • Niskayuna
  • Plattsburgh
  • Amsterdam
  • Cohoes
  • Gloversville
  • Glens Falls
  • Latham
  • East Glenville
  • Roessleville
  • Watervliet
  • Loudonville
  • West Glens Falls
  • Rensselaer
  • Glens Falls North
  • Johnstown
  • Colonie
  • Westmere
  • Hudson Falls
  • Scotia

and 158 more cities

Area Code 518 geographic coverage map (light mode)

History

Area code 518 is one of the original area codes established in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was created. It shares its territory with area code area code 838.

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 518 is approximately 1,925,757. The population density is 106 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 95. The median household income is $81,528, which is near the national median of $80,734. Approximately 36.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%, which is near the national rate of 12.5%.

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 518).

CountyPopulationShare
Albany, NY424,96522.1%
Saratoga, NY306,71215.9%
Schenectady, NY241,61212.5%
Rensselaer, NY187,3869.7%
Washington, NY112,2055.8%
Fulton, NY93,1074.8%
Clinton, NY84,6884.4%
Warren, NY84,3834.4%
Montgomery, NY79,6104.1%
Columbia, NY71,4833.7%
Greene, NY55,5232.9%
Franklin, NY53,1542.8%
Essex, NY47,4692.5%
Schoharie, NY35,6471.9%
Otsego, NY16,0630.8%
St. Lawrence, NY8,9290.5%
Hamilton, NY8,5380.4%
Herkimer, NY6,1310.3%
Dutchess, NY5,2080.3%
Ulster, NY1,5310.1%
Delaware, NY1,4130.1%

Area Code 518 Family Tree

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518838
2
Total Codes
0
Splits
1
Overlays
1
Max Depth

All Descendants

Code ▲StateType In Service Parent
838NYoverlay19-Sep-2017518

Area code 518 was originally assigned in 01-Jan-1947 to serve NY. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.

Call Context

Metropolitan area

This area code covers a metropolitan region in NY with moderate to high population density, centered on Albany and surrounding communities.

Nearby Area Codes

Area codes geographically closest to 518.

Area code 802 map card showing Burlington (light mode)
802VTBurlingtonEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 413 map card showing Springfield (light mode)
413MASpringfieldEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 315 map card showing Syracuse (light mode)
315NYSyracuseEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 680 map card showing Syracuse (light mode)
680NYSyracuseEastern Time (ET)Overlay
Area code 329 map card showing Kiryas Joel (light mode)
329NYKiryas JoelEastern Time (ET)Overlay
Area code 845 map card showing Kiryas Joel (light mode)
845NYKiryas JoelEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 603 map card showing Manchester (light mode)
603NHManchesterEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 860 map card showing Hartford (light mode)
860CTHartfordEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 959 map card showing Hartford (light mode)
959CTHartfordEastern Time (ET)Overlay

Other Area Codes in New York

Area codes that also serve New York, linked for easy comparison.