The area code 219 is located in Gary, Indiana.
Area code 219 serves northwest Indiana, centered on Gary along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It covers much of the Calumet Region and connects closely with the greater Chicago area through major routes like I‑80/I‑94 and I‑65. The 219 area includes key industrial, port, and rail hubs, making it a vital gateway for steel, energy, and shipping. Most numbers in 219 observe Central Time (CT).
Area code 219 covers several key cities and towns. Notable communities include:
Established in 1948, 219 originally spanned northern Indiana before a split in 2002 created area codes 574 (South Bend–Elkhart) and 260 (Fort Wayne), leaving 219 focused on the northwest corner. Landmarks inside 219 include Indiana Dunes National Park (redesignated in 2019), Indiana Dunes State Park, the Port of Indiana–Burns Harbor, and U.S. Steel Gary Works. The region also includes Gary/Chicago International Airport, which supports cargo and general aviation. Gary is famously the hometown of the Jackson 5, adding a cultural note to the area code’s identity.
Area code 219 remains a single, standalone code for northwest Indiana with no overlay. It supports residential, business, university, and logistics phone numbers throughout Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties. Because 219 sits next to Illinois, callers often dial across state lines, so including the full 219 area code is common. Its mix of lakefront recreation and heavy industry makes 219 one of the most distinctive area codes in the Midwest.
“Established in 1948; split in 2002 to form 574 and 260.” — North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)