Area code 219 covers Hammond and surrounding areas in Indiana. It was activated in 1948 as an overlay of area code 317. For the full picture, see all Indiana area codes.
| State | Indiana |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Hammond |
| Cities also served | Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Valparaiso, Portage, Michigan City, Crown Point, East Chicago |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | January 1948 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 317 |
| Overlay codes | None |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 219
Area code 219 serves Northwest Indiana — Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, and Jasper Counties; Indiana portion of the Chicago metropolitan area, including the following cities and communities:
- Hammond
- Gary
- Merrillville
- Valparaiso
- Portage
- Michigan City
- Crown Point
- East Chicago
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 260, 317, 463, 574, 765, 812, 930.
How to Get a 219 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 219 area code, each suited to a different need:
Ready to Get a 219 Number?
One-time fee. No monthly charges. Port to any carrier in 3–5 business days. NYC's most trusted source since 2009.
Browse 219 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 219 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 219 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 219 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 219 number. If you already have a 219 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Indiana sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 219 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 219 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 219 numbers for Hammond, Indiana — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 219 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 219 area code still in use?
Yes. 219 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northwest Indiana — Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, and Jasper Counties; Indiana portion of the Chicago metropolitan area.
What is the parent area code of 219?
Area code 219 is an overlay of 317. Both codes serve the same region of Indiana.
Can I get a 219 number if I don't live in Indiana?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 219 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 219 a scam area code?
No. 219 is a legitimate, active area code for Northwest Indiana — Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, and Jasper Counties; Indiana portion of the Chicago metropolitan area. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 219 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Indiana businesses, government offices, and residents.
What cities are in the 219 area code?
Area code 219 covers Northwest Indiana, including Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Merrillville, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Portage, Michigan City, and Rensselaer, among others spanning Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, and Jasper Counties.
Does area code 219 have an overlay?
No. As of 2026, area code 219 has no overlay and is the sole area code serving Northwest Indiana. Ten-digit dialing has been required since October 2021 due to the nationwide 988 transition.
What time zone is the 219 area code in?
Most of the 219 area code observes Central Time (UTC-6 standard, UTC-5 DST). A smaller eastern portion of the NPA falls in the Eastern Time Zone.
Why did area code 219 split in 2002?
By the late 1990s, the original 219 territory covering all of northern Indiana was near number exhaustion. On January 15, 2002, it was divided into three codes: 219 retained Northwest Indiana, 574 took the South Bend/Elkhart area, and 260 took the Fort Wayne area.
