The 651 area code serves St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota, and the eastern half of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Created in 1998 when it split from 612, 651 covers the eastern suburbs along the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.
Quick Summary of the 651 Area Code
| Area Code | 651 |
| State | Minnesota (MN) |
| Region | St. Paul & the East Metro |
| Major Cities | St. Paul, Maplewood, Woodbury, Roseville, Eagan, White Bear Lake, Cottage Grove, Stillwater |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 651 area code covers the city of St. Paul and the East Metro, including the suburbs of Maplewood, Roseville, and White Bear Lake to the north, Woodbury and Cottage Grove to the southeast, Eagan to the south, and the historic river town of Stillwater on the Wisconsin border. It sits across the Mississippi River from the 612 area code.
Time Zone
The 651 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 Minnesota 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 651 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 651 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 651 Number
Area code 651 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 (651 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 651, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 651 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 651 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in St. Paul, Maplewood, Woodbury, Roseville, Eagan, White Bear Lake, Cottage Grove, Stillwater 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 Xcel Energy threatening to cut power. |
| Tech Support Fraud | Pop-ups or calls claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access. |
| Prize / Lottery Scam | Calls saying you won a prize but must pay a “fee” or “tax” to claim it. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 651 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 Minnesota 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 (Xcel Energy or Minnesota Power) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 651 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 651 Region
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Area code 651 was created in 1998, split from 612, to serve St. Paul and the eastern Twin Cities suburbs. As the state capital, St. Paul is the center of Minnesota government, and its economy is anchored by public administration, higher education, and healthcare. The region is also home to one of the state’s most famous corporations – 3M, whose global headquarters sits in Maplewood – along with a strong presence in insurance, manufacturing, and river commerce. The East Metro blends the historic neighborhoods of St. Paul with fast-growing suburbs in Washington and Dakota counties.
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Looking Up a 651 Number
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To identify a 651 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, government offices, and healthcare providers across the East Metro publish their 651 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
Minnesota is served by several area codes. If you are researching 651, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 612 – Minneapolis core
- 952 – South & West Twin Cities suburbs
- 763 – Northwest Twin Cities suburbs
- 507 – Southern MN / Rochester
- 218 – Northern MN / Duluth
You can also browse our full directory of Minnesota 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 Minnesota:
- Wisconsin – area code 414
- Iowa – area code 515
- South Dakota – area code 605
- North Dakota – area code 701
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 651 area code located?
The 651 area code covers St. Paul and the eastern Twin Cities metro, including Maplewood, Woodbury, Roseville, Eagan, White Bear Lake, Cottage Grove, and Stillwater.
Does 651 have an overlay?
No. The 651 area code covers St. Paul and the East Metro on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 651?
Because 651 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 651 area code in?
The 651 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Minnesota.
Related 651 Guides
- Is a 651 call safe? Read Is area code 651 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the St. Paul area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.