The 574 area code serves north central Indiana, the region anchored by South Bend and Elkhart just south of the Michigan state line. Created in 2002 when it split from 219, 574 covers the University of Notre Dame community and the recreational-vehicle manufacturing heartland of the United States.
Quick Summary of the 574 Area Code
| Area Code | 574 |
| State | Indiana (IN) |
| Region | North Central Indiana (South Bend & Elkhart) |
| Major Cities | South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Goshen, Plymouth, Warsaw, LaPorte, Nappanee |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 574 area code covers a band of north central Indiana along the Michigan border, including South Bend and its suburb Mishawaka, the manufacturing city of Elkhart and nearby Goshen and Nappanee, and the surrounding communities of Plymouth, Warsaw, and LaPorte. It sits between the 219 (northwest) and 260 (northeast) area codes.
Time Zone
The 574 area code observes Eastern Time (ET). Clocks follow Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) in winter and shift to Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) from mid-March through early November. Most of Indiana is on Eastern Time, though the northwest corner near Chicago and the Evansville area in the southwest observe Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is three hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 574 number at 12:00 PM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 574 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 574 Number
Area code 574 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 (574 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 574, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 574 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 574 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Goshen, Plymouth, Warsaw, LaPorte, Nappanee should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake utility reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to Notre Dame and area college 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 574 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 Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
- 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 (AES Indiana, Duke Energy, or NIPSCO) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 574 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 574 Region
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Area code 574 was created in 2002, split from 219, to serve north central Indiana as the northern part of the state ran short of numbers. The regional economy is distinctive and manufacturing-driven. Elkhart County is known as the “RV Capital of the World,” producing the large majority of the recreational vehicles built in the United States, while Warsaw is the “Orthopedic Capital of the World,” home to several of the biggest medical-device makers in the industry. South Bend anchors the region as home to the University of Notre Dame, a growing technology and education hub built on the legacy of the former Studebaker automobile works.
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Looking Up a 574 Number
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To identify a 574 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, the university, and manufacturers across north central Indiana publish their 574 numbers, 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
Indiana is served by several area codes. If you are researching 574, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 219 – Northwest IN / Gary
- 260 – Northeast / Fort Wayne
- 317 – Indianapolis
- 463 – Indianapolis overlay
- 765 – Central IN / Lafayette
You can also browse our full directory of Indiana 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 Indiana:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 574 area code located?
The 574 area code covers north central Indiana, including South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Goshen, Plymouth, Warsaw, and LaPorte.
Does 574 have an overlay?
No. The 574 area code covers its north central Indiana region on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 574?
Because 574 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 574 area code in?
The 574 area code observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), like most of Indiana.
Related 574 Guides
- Is a 574 call safe? Read Is area code 574 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the South Bend area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.