574 Area Code: South Bend, IN | Location & Time Zone

The 574 area code serves the north-central region of Indiana, primarily covering South Bend, Elkhart, and surrounding communities. Established in 2002, this area code is an essential part of northern Indiana’s telecommunications infrastructure, serving both residential and business customers across a diverse region known for manufacturing, education, and its proximity to the Michigan border.

Whether you’re looking to call someone in the 574 area code, planning to move to the region, or simply want to understand more about this Indiana area code, this comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about 574’s location, time zone, and calling procedures.

What is the 574 Area Code?

The 574 area code is a geographic telephone area code serving north-central Indiana. It was created on January 15, 2002, as a split from the original 219 area code, which had served the entire northern portion of Indiana since 1947. The split became necessary due to population growth and the increasing demand for telephone numbers driven by mobile phones, fax machines, pagers, and internet services.

Today, the 574 area code covers approximately 20 counties in northern Indiana, including major cities like South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, and Goshen. The region is home to the University of Notre Dame, significant manufacturing industries, and thriving Amish communities, making it a diverse and economically important part of the state.

574 Area Code Location & Coverage

Cities and Regions Covered

The 574 area code encompasses a substantial portion of northern Indiana, serving numerous cities and towns. Major cities and communities within the 574 area code include South Bend (the largest city in the region and county seat of St. Joseph County), Elkhart (known as the “RV Capital of the World”), Mishawaka, Goshen, Warsaw, Plymouth, Bremen, Nappanee, Middlebury, and Syracuse.

The area code covers all or portions of the following counties: St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Kosciusko, Fulton, Starke, Pulaski, White, Cass, Miami, Wabash, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, DeKalb, Steuben, Carroll, Howard, Grant, and Whitley counties. This expansive coverage area reflects the region’s mix of urban centers, suburban communities, small towns, and rural agricultural areas.

Geographic Coverage Area

The 574 area code region extends from the Michigan state line in the north to approximately the center of Indiana, and from the Illinois border in the west to the Ohio border in the east. The region is characterized by rolling farmland, numerous lakes (particularly in Kosciusko County, known as the “Lakes Region”), and the St. Joseph River, which flows through South Bend. The area is strategically located along major transportation corridors, including the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90) and U.S. Highway 31.

Time Zone Information

The 574 area code region observes Eastern Time, which may surprise some people given Indiana’s complicated time zone history. Until 2006, most of Indiana (including much of the 574 region) did not observe Daylight Saving Time. However, all of Indiana now observes DST, with most of the state, including the 574 area code region, in the Eastern Time Zone. A small portion of northwestern and southwestern Indiana remains in the Central Time Zone. When planning calls or meetings with people in the 574 area code, remember that they’re on the same time as New York, Miami, and Atlanta.

574 Area Code Details

History of 574 Area Code

When Was 574 Created?

The 574 area code was officially activated on January 15, 2002, following a geographic split of the 219 area code. For decades, the 219 area code had served all of northern Indiana, but by the late 1990s, the region was rapidly depleting its available phone numbers. The proliferation of mobile phones, second phone lines for internet access, fax machines, and pagers created unprecedented demand for new telephone numbers.

To address this shortage, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission decided to split the 219 area code. The northwestern corner of Indiana, including Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, and the greater Calumet region near Chicago, retained the 219 area code. The rest of northern Indiana, centered around South Bend and Elkhart, received the new 574 area code.

Area Code Changes and Overlays

Since its establishment in 2002, the 574 area code has remained stable with no overlay codes added. An overlay occurs when a new area code is assigned to the same geographic region as an existing area code, requiring 10-digit dialing for all calls. As of 2025, the 574 area code continues to have sufficient number availability to meet regional demand, so no overlay is currently planned.

However, residents should be aware that if number exhaustion occurs in the future, telecommunications regulators may implement an overlay rather than another geographic split. This would mean that new phone numbers in the same region might receive a different area code, and 10-digit dialing would become mandatory for all calls, even local ones.

How to Call 574 Area Code

Dialing Within the Area Code

When making calls within the 574 area code region, you can typically dial just the seven-digit phone number (XXX-XXXX) for local calls. However, many mobile phones and modern phone systems require 10-digit dialing (574-XXX-XXXX) even for local calls. To ensure your call goes through, it’s generally recommended to use the full 10-digit format, which has become the standard practice with mobile phones. Some areas within the 574 region may require 10-digit dialing for all calls depending on your phone service provider.

Dialing From Other Area Codes

When calling a 574 area code number from anywhere else in the United States, you must dial 1 + 574 + the seven-digit phone number (1-574-XXX-XXXX). The “1” is the country code for the United States and Canada, required for long-distance calls. This format applies whether you’re calling from a landline or mobile phone, and from any other area code in the country. For example, if you’re in New York City (area code 212) and need to call someone in South Bend, you would dial 1-574-555-0123.

International Dialing

For international callers trying to reach someone in the 574 area code, the format is: + (or your country’s international access code) + 1 + 574 + seven-digit phone number. For example, from the United Kingdom, you would dial 00-1-574-XXX-XXXX (where 00 is the UK’s international access code). From most mobile phones internationally, you can simply use +1-574-XXX-XXXX, as the + symbol automatically represents the international access code. Remember that calling internationally may incur significant charges depending on your phone plan, so check with your provider about international calling rates to the United States.

Nearby Area Codes

Understanding nearby area codes is helpful for recognizing where calls are coming from and understanding the broader regional context. The 574 area code is surrounded by other Indiana area codes as well as Michigan area codes to the north. Many residents in the 574 region have regular contact with people in these neighboring areas due to business relationships, family connections, and regional economic ties.

Population & Demographics

The 574 area code region serves an estimated population of approximately 850,000 to 950,000 residents as of 2025, though exact figures vary depending on which portions of each county are included. South Bend, the largest city in the area code, has a population of approximately 103,000, while Elkhart has around 53,000 residents. The broader South Bend-Mishawaka metropolitan area has a population exceeding 320,000.

The region has a diverse economic base anchored by manufacturing, particularly recreational vehicle production in Elkhart County, which produces the majority of RVs manufactured in the United States. The University of Notre Dame is a major employer and economic driver in South Bend, along with healthcare systems, educational institutions, and agricultural businesses. The region also has significant Amish and Mennonite communities, particularly in Elkhart and LaGrange counties, contributing to the area’s unique cultural character and strong furniture-building and craftsmanship traditions.

Demographically, the region is relatively diverse with growing Hispanic and Latino populations, particularly in cities like South Bend, Elkhart, and Goshen. The area has seen economic revitalization efforts in recent years, with South Bend in particular gaining national attention for downtown development and technology sector growth. Check out more helpful guides and resources about area codes and time zones on our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What area code is 574 in Indiana?

The 574 area code covers north-central Indiana, primarily serving the South Bend-Elkhart region and surrounding communities. It includes approximately 20 counties in the northern part of the state.

When did the 574 area code start?

The 574 area code was established on January 15, 2002, as a split from the original 219 area code to address the growing demand for telephone numbers in northern Indiana.

What time zone is 574 area code?

The 574 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone, observing Eastern Standard Time (EST) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in summer, with Daylight Saving Time observed throughout the region.

Do I need to dial 1 before 574?

Yes, when calling a 574 number from outside the area code, you must dial 1-574-XXX-XXXX. For calls within the 574 area code, most phones require 10-digit dialing (574-XXX-XXXX) without the 1.

What cities are in the 574 area code?

Major cities in the 574 area code include South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Goshen, Warsaw, Plymouth, Nappanee, Bremen, and Syracuse, along with numerous smaller towns and communities throughout northern Indiana.

Is 574 a toll-free number?

No, 574 is not a toll-free area code. It’s a standard geographic area code for northern Indiana. Toll-free numbers use area codes like 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.

Will the 574 area code get an overlay?

As of 2025, there are no announced plans for an overlay area code in the 574 region. The area code currently has sufficient number availability to meet demand, but an overlay could be implemented in the future if numbers become scarce.

What replaced area code 219 in northern Indiana?

The 574 area code replaced 219 in most of northern Indiana in 2002. The 219 area code was retained for the northwestern corner of Indiana near Chicago, including Gary, Hammond, and Merrillville.

Conclusion

The 574 area code is an integral part of northern Indiana’s identity, serving vibrant communities from South Bend to Elkhart and beyond. Since its establishment in 2002, it has facilitated millions of connections for residents, businesses, students, and visitors throughout this diverse and economically significant region. Understanding the 574 area code—its coverage area, time zone, dialing procedures, and history—helps you communicate effectively whether you’re a resident, planning to call someone in the area, or considering a move to this part of Indiana.

For more information about time zones, area codes, and helpful telecommunications resources, visit our timer tools section where you can access additional features to help manage your calling and scheduling needs across different time zones.