Where Is Area Code 618?
Area code 618 serves southern Illinois, with Alton as its primary city. The region includes the Metro East communities across the Mississippi River from St. Louis and extends toward the southern tip of Illinois.
Major cities include Belleville, Carbondale, Collinsville, Edwardsville, East St. Louis, Marion, Mount Vernon, and O'Fallon. The area code reaches counties such as Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Jackson, Williamson, Jefferson, and Randolph, along with other counties in southern Illinois.
The Mississippi River forms much of the area's western boundary. Notable sites include Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville and Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.
Cities and Communities in the 618 Area Code
- Alton (Madison County)
- Anna (Union County)
- Belleville (St. Clair County)
- Benton (Franklin County)
- Bethalto (Madison County)
- Cairo (Alexander County)
- Cahokia Heights (St. Clair County)
- Carbondale (Jackson County)
- Carlyle (Clinton County)
- Carmi (White County)
- Centralia (Clinton and Marion Counties)
- Chester (Randolph County)
- Collinsville (Madison and St. Clair Counties)
- Columbia (Monroe County)
- Du Quoin (Perry County)
- East Alton (Madison County)
- East St. Louis (St. Clair County)
- Edwardsville (Madison County)
- Eldorado (Saline County)
- Fairview Heights (St. Clair County)
- Flora (Clay County)
- Freeburg (St. Clair County)
- Germantown (Clinton County)
- Glen Carbon (Madison County)
- Granite City (Madison County)
- Grayville (Edwards and White Counties)
- Greenville (Bond County)
- Harrisburg (Saline County)
- Herrin (Williamson County)
- Highland (Madison County)
- Jerseyville (Jersey County)
- Lawrenceville (Lawrence County)
- Lebanon (St. Clair County)
- Marion (Williamson County)
- Mascoutah (St. Clair County)
- McLeansboro (Hamilton County)
- Metropolis (Massac County)
- Mount Carmel (Wabash County)
- Mount Vernon (Jefferson County)
- Murphysboro (Jackson County)
- Nashville (Washington County)
- Newton (Jasper County)
- O'Fallon (St. Clair County)
- Olney (Richland County)
- Pinckneyville (Perry County)
- Red Bud (Randolph County)
- Robinson (Crawford County)
- Salem (Marion County)
- Sparta (Randolph County)
- Troy (Madison County)
- Vandalia (Fayette County)
- Vienna (Johnson County)
- Waterloo (Monroe County)
- West Frankfort (Franklin County)
- Wood River (Madison County)
History of Area Code 618
Area code 618 was established in 1947 as one of the original area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. It was one of four original Illinois area codes, along with 217, 312, and 815.
Area code 618 has not undergone a geographic split. Area code 730 was added as an overlay in 1990, providing additional telephone numbers without changing the 618 service area. The overlay supported growing demand for telephone service across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Key Facts About Area Code 618
- Area code 618 is in Illinois, and Alton is its primary city.
- Area code 618 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.
- Area code 618 serves southern Illinois, including the Metro East region.
- Area code 618 is part of the Great Lakes region of the United States.
- Area code 618 was established in 1947 as an original North American Numbering Plan area code.
- Area code 730 has overlaid area code 618 since 1990.
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are located in the 618 region.
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and Shawnee National Forest are notable landmarks in the 618 region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 618 in?
Area code 618 is in Illinois.
What major cities use area code 618?
Major cities with area code 618 include Alton, Belleville, Carbondale, Collinsville, Edwardsville, East St. Louis, Marion, Mount Vernon, and O'Fallon.
What time zone is area code 618 in?
Area code 618 uses Central Time.
Is area code 618 a toll-free number?
No, area code 618 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free number.