Area code 224 covers Elgin and surrounding areas in Illinois. It was activated in 2002 as an overlay of area code 847. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 847. For the full picture, see all Illinois area codes.
| State | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Elgin |
| Cities also served | Elgin, Waukegan, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Schaumburg, Palatine, Skokie, Glenview |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | January 5, 2002 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 847 |
| Overlay codes | 847 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 224
Area code 224 serves Northeastern Illinois — northern and northwest suburbs of Chicago, covering most of Lake County, the northern part of Cook County, the northern part of Kane County, and a small part of McHenry County, including the following cities and communities:
- Elgin
- Waukegan
- Arlington Heights
- Evanston
- Schaumburg
- Palatine
- Skokie
- Glenview
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 847, 312, 773, 872, 630, 331, 815, 779.
How to Get a 224 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 224 area code, each suited to a different need:
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Browse 224 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 224 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 224 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 224 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 224 number. If you already have a 224 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 Illinois sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 224 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 224 area code still in use?
Yes. 224 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northeastern Illinois — northern and northwest suburbs of Chicago, covering most of Lake County, the northern part of Cook County, the northern part of Kane County, and a small part of McHenry County.
What is the difference between 224 and 847?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Illinois. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 224?
Area code 224 is an overlay of 847. Both codes serve the same region of Illinois.
Can I get a 224 number if I don't live in Illinois?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 224 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 224 a scam area code?
No. 224 is a legitimate, active area code for Northeastern Illinois — northern and northwest suburbs of Chicago, covering most of Lake County, the northern part of Cook County, the northern part of Kane County, and a small part of McHenry County. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 224 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Illinois businesses, government offices, and residents.
What cities does the 224 area code cover?
Area code 224 covers dozens of communities in northeastern Illinois, including Elgin, Waukegan, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Schaumburg, Palatine, Skokie, Glenview, Des Plaines, Hoffman Estates, and many others across Cook, Lake, Kane, and McHenry counties.
Is 224 the same area as 847?
Yes. Area code 224 is a full overlay of 847, meaning both codes serve exactly the same geographic territory in northeastern Illinois. Because of the overlay, ten-digit dialing is required for all local calls in the region.
When did area code 224 go into service?
Area code 224 was put into service on January 5, 2002. It was assigned as an overlay for the 847 area code, which was approaching exhaustion due to rapid population growth and the proliferation of mobile phones and pagers in the Chicago suburbs.
Why was area code 224 created?
Within only a few years of its 1996 creation, area code 847 was nearing number exhaustion because of rapid telecommunications growth in the Chicago suburbs. Rather than splitting the region geographically, regulators added 224 as an overlay in 2002 to provide additional number capacity without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.
