Area code 319

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Area Code 319 is a telephone area code for east-central and southeast Iowa. The 319 area code was one of the original area codes from the finalized 1947 assignments of area codes, and originally covered the eastern third of the state.

Currently, major population centers in the 319 code include Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Waterloo.

By the end of the 20th century, it was felt that the 319 code was running out of available numbers due to the increase in mobile devices, lines for computer equipment, FAX machines, and other services. In late 2000 it was announced that a new 563 area code would be assigned to Iowa. While some hoped that it would be an overlay, it was instead decided that a geographic split would be employed instead. As a result the cities of Decorah, Dubuque, Bettendorf, Clinton, and Davenport were all moved to the new 563 area code. The new code became operational in March of 2001, and became mandatory in December of 2001.