515 Area CodeDes Moines, IA
Area code 515 covers Des Moines and nearby communities in Iowa, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 833,000 people across 144 cities. It's the only area code for this region, so the three digits alone place the caller.
Overview
- Major City
- Des Moines
- State
- Iowa (IA)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- No – unique area code
Where is area code 515?
Area code 515 serves part of Des Moines, IA and the surrounding areas. It is a unique area code with no overlays.
Overview of the 515 Area Code
What is the 515 area code?
The 515 area code serves Des Moines, Iowa. When you see a 515 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 515 created?
The 515 area code was established to serve the Des Moines region in Iowa. It provides telephone number coverage across 144 cities.
Geographic Coverage of the 515 Area Code
The 515 area code serves Des Moines and surrounding areas in Iowa. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Des Moines
- Ankeny
- West Des Moines
- Ames
- Urbandale
- Waukee
Got a call from a 515 number? It came from Des Moines, IA. No other area code overlaps the 515 territory, so the prefix alone identifies where the caller is. Inside 515, Des Moines holds about 26% of the population; the rest is split across 143 smaller cities.
Des Moines Area Code Overview
The 515 area code provides comprehensive telephone coverage for Des Moines and its surrounding communities. As the sole area code for this region, it uniquely identifies all local numbers within the service area.
What cities does area code 515 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | IA | 213,096 | 1% | 100% |
| Ankeny | IA | 76,727 | 0% | 100% |
| West Des Moines | IA | 73,664 | 1% | 100% |
| Ames | IA | 69,026 | 0% | 100% |
| Urbandale | IA | 47,759 | 0% | 100% |
| Waukee | IA | 34,420 | 0% | 100% |
| Johnston | IA | 25,022 | 0% | 100% |
| Fort Dodge | IA | 24,886 | 0% | 100% |
| Altoona | IA | 22,598 | 0% | 100% |
| Clive | IA | 19,508 | 0% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 515 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 434 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 515 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 68% robocalls
- ↑ 42% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other46%198
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)15%64
- Medical & prescriptions11%49
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 515?
54% assigned to a telco
- 73% Landline
- 27% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (515)200- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (515)201- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (515)202- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (515)203- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (515)204- | Landline | Onvoy Spectrum |
| (515)205- | Wireless | United States Cellular |
| (515)206- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (515)207- | Landline | Mcc Telephony Of Iowa |
| (515)208- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (515)209- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 515 Area Code
Who called me from a 515 number?
A 515 number is assigned to Des Moines, Iowa, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 515 code to look nearby, so a 515 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 434 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 515 code (68% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 515 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 515 is a normal, officially assigned code for Des Moines, Iowa. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 515 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 434 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 515 code (68% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 515 area code?
Repeated calls from different 515 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 515 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 434 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 515 code (68% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 515 number?
If you aren't expecting a 515 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 515 area code?
Block a single 515 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 515 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 515?
Area code 515 covers Des Moines and the surrounding area in Iowa, spanning 144 cities with about 833,386 residents. No other code overlays this region, so 515 alone identifies the area.
Is 515 a real area code?
Yes. 515 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Des Moines, Iowa. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 515 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 515 area code in?
The 515 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 515 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 515 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 515 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 515 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.