The 319 area code serves eastern Iowa and the Cedar Valley, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Waterloo. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 319 covers a corridor of manufacturing, university, and agricultural communities in the east-central part of the state.
Quick Summary of the 319 Area Code
| Area Code | 319 |
| State | Iowa (IA) |
| Region | Eastern Iowa & the Cedar Valley (Cedar Rapids & Iowa City) |
| Major Cities | Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Marion, Coralville, Mount Vernon, Independence |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 319 area code covers eastern Iowa, including the manufacturing city of Cedar Rapids and its neighbor Marion, the university city of Iowa City and its suburb Coralville, the Cedar Valley cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, and smaller communities such as Mount Vernon and Independence. It borders the 563 region to the east and the 515 and 641 regions to the west.
Time Zone
The 319 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Iowa is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 319 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 319 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 319 Number
Area code 319 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (319 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 319, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 319 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 319 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Marion, Coralville, Mount Vernon, Independence should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be Alliant Energy threatening to cut power. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to University of Iowa students for a fee. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 319 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (MidAmerican Energy or Alliant Energy) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 319 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 319 Region
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Area code 319 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947, and it once covered a larger part of eastern Iowa before 563 was split off in 2001. Cedar Rapids is a major manufacturing and food-processing center – home to large corn-milling operations and Collins Aerospace, a leading maker of aviation electronics – while Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa and its renowned hospitals and is recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature. Waterloo and Cedar Falls anchor the Cedar Valley with a major John Deere manufacturing presence and the University of Northern Iowa.
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Looking Up a 319 Number
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To identify a 319 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, universities, and hospitals across eastern Iowa publish their 319 numbers widely, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Iowa is served by five area codes. If you are researching 319, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 563 – Eastern & Quad Cities / Davenport & Dubuque
- 515 – Central Iowa / Des Moines & Ames
- 641 – Central & Southern Iowa / Mason City & Ottumwa
- 712 – Western Iowa / Sioux City & Council Bluffs
You can also browse our full directory of Iowa area codes for more regional guides.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Iowa:
- Minnesota – area code 612
- Wisconsin – area code 414
- Illinois – area code 312
- Missouri – area code 314
- Nebraska – area code 402
- South Dakota – area code 605
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 319 area code located?
The 319 area code covers eastern Iowa and the Cedar Valley, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Marion, and Coralville.
Does 319 have an overlay?
No. The 319 area code covers eastern Iowa on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 319?
Because 319 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 319 area code in?
The 319 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Iowa.
Related 319 Guides
- Is a 319 call safe? Read Is area code 319 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Cedar Rapids area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.