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.

Overlay Area Code

This area code is part of an overlay region, meaning the same geographic area is served by multiple area codes. Overlay codes were introduced to meet growing demand for phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.

This area code shares its geographic region with: area code 838 (Albany).

In service since: 01-Jan-1947

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population: 1,925,757
Population Density: 107 people/sq mi
above U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income: $83,149
above U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
Poverty Rate: 11.6%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
Education Attainment: Bachelor's Degree+
35.7%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)
High School or Lower
30.6%

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

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

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 107 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 93. The median household income is $83,149, which is higher than the national median of $75,144. Approximately 35.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 33.7%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%, which is near the national rate of 11.5%.

County Coverage

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

County	Population	Share
Albany, NY	424,965	22.1%
Saratoga, NY	306,712	15.9%
Schenectady, NY	241,612	12.5%
Rensselaer, NY	187,386	9.7%
Washington, NY	112,205	5.8%
Fulton, NY	93,107	4.8%
Clinton, NY	84,688	4.4%
Warren, NY	84,383	4.4%
Montgomery, NY	79,610	4.1%
Columbia, NY	71,483	3.7%
Greene, NY	55,523	2.9%
Franklin, NY	53,154	2.8%
Essex, NY	47,469	2.5%
Schoharie, NY	35,647	1.9%
Otsego, NY	16,063	0.8%
St. Lawrence, NY	8,929	0.5%
Hamilton, NY	8,538	0.4%
Herkimer, NY	6,131	0.3%
Dutchess, NY	5,208	0.3%
Ulster, NY	1,531	0.1%
Delaware, NY	1,413	0.1%

Area Code 518 Family Tree

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Splits

Overlays

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All Descendants

Code ▲	State	Type	In Service	Parent
838	NY	overlay	19-Sep-2017	518

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.