Indiana · Central Time
219 Area Code
Area code 219 is in Indiana, serving northwest Indiana near Chicago, including Gary, Hammond and Valparaiso. It is in the Central Time zone (part of its territory observes Eastern Time).
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 219 area code?
219 is a Indiana area code covering northwest Indiana near Chicago, including Gary, Hammond and Valparaiso. In the wider directory it sits in the Midwest region.
Cities in the 219 area code
- Gary
- Hammond
- Merrillville
- Valparaiso
- Portage
- Michigan City
- Crown Point
- East Chicago
- Schererville
- Hobart
- Munster
- Highland
- Chesterton
- La Porte
Counties served by 219
Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Jasper County and Newton County.
Time zone note: Most of Indiana is Eastern; counties near Chicago and Evansville observe Central.
Dialing 219
Gary, IN is currently served by the single area code 219, with no overlay. Ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) always works and is increasingly the norm nationwide; some local calls may still connect with seven digits. If a future overlay is added, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory.
From outside the US, dial +1 219 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 219 area code
219 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Gary area ever since.
Is 219 a scam or spam risk?
219 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 219 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Gary, IN or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Indiana area codes
Explore more
See every code in Indiana, compare codes across the Midwest region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 2XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
219 area code FAQ
Where is the 219 area code?
The 219 area code is in Indiana, covering northwest Indiana near Chicago, including Gary, Hammond and Valparaiso, in the Midwest region.
What cities are in the 219 area code?
Cities in the 219 area code include Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Valparaiso, Portage, Michigan City, Crown Point, East Chicago, Schererville and Hobart.
What time zone is 219 in?
219 is in the Central Time zone. Most of Indiana is Eastern; counties near Chicago and Evansville observe Central.
When did the 219 area code start?
219 went into service on January 1, 1948 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 219?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 219 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 219 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.