Area codes are a key part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANPA). They’re essential for routing phone calls to the correct geographic area, especially as the demand for phone numbers continues to rise.
Let’s explore area code 218. We’ll take a closer look at its location, history, and other interesting details.
In this article, we’ll cover the geographical area that utilizes area code 218, the time zone it falls within, the history behind its creation, and some interesting facts about it.
Where is area code 218?
Area code 218 covers the northern reaches of Minnesota. The area is known for its beautiful scenery and close-knit communities.
Area code 218 was the first area code assigned to the state of Minnesota.
Some of the major cities and towns within the 218 area code include:
- Duluth
- Moorhead
- Hibbing
(We’ll share a more complete list later in this article.)
As you can see, area code 218 covers a large portion of northern Minnesota.
Time Zone Information for Area Code 218
Area code 218 sits in the Central Time Zone, also known as America/Chicago time.
Keep in mind that the Central Time Zone has two different designations depending on the time of year: Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT).
CST is what’s observed during the winter. CDT is used during the summer months when Daylight Saving Time (DST) is in effect.
In 2025, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9th at 2:00 AM. It ends on November 2nd, 2025, at 2:00 AM. So, if you’re calling someone in area code 218, remember to factor in the time of year!
A Little History of Area Code 218
Area code 218 is one of the original 86 area codes created in 1947. At the time, it covered most of Minnesota, except for the southeastern corner of the state.
Back then, area codes could only have a 0 or a 1 as the middle digit. That changed in 1953.
It’s interesting to remember that people used to dial numbers on rotary phones. Every number “clicked” a certain number of times. For example, dialing a “1” meant one click. Dialing a “9” meant nine clicks. Area code 218 took 11 “clicks” to dial. In comparison, the average number of clicks for all 90 area codes created around the same time was 14.1.
What area codes border 218?
Area code 218 covers a large portion of northern Minnesota. Because of its location, it also borders several other area codes in neighboring states and Canada, including:
- 605 (South Dakota)
- 701 (North Dakota)
- 807 (Kenora, Ontario)
- 906 (Marquette, Michigan)
These area codes represent regions that touch the borders of the area covered by the 218 area code.
Telephone carriers and prefixes in area code 218
Area code 218 is split between a number of different telephone carriers. The prefixes within the 218 area code are also split between landlines and wireless carriers.
According to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), telecom providers, and the U.S. Census Bureau, 75% of the prefixes in area code 218 are assigned to landlines and 25% are assigned to wireless carriers.
The data also show that 88% of area code 218 is assigned to telecommunications companies.
A telephone prefix is the first three digits of a phone number after the area code. The prefix identifies a specific geographic area or a particular carrier within that area.
Top counties and cities in area code 218
Area code 218 covers a large area in northern Minnesota. Here are a few of the most populous counties and cities within its boundaries:
- St. Louis County (Duluth)
- Cass County (Brainerd)
- Clay County (Moorhead)
- Beltrami County (Bemidji)
These cities and counties are important economic and cultural hubs within northern Minnesota.
Summary
Area code 218 serves the northern portion of Minnesota, including cities like Duluth, Brainerd, and Moorhead. The 218 area code is located in the Central Time Zone.
Area codes are essential for making sure phone calls and other telecommunications get where they’re supposed to go. For more details, you can check out the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) website.