Receive a local area code
218
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Economic Overview
The 218 area code region features a diverse economy with strengths in forestry, mining (notably iron ore in the Iron Range), tourism, and agriculture. Major employers include healthcare systems, educational institutions, mining companies, and paper mills. Outdoor recreation and tourism are significant, especially near Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters.
Geographical Overview
Area code 218 covers northern Minnesota, including cities such as Duluth, Bemidji, Moorhead, Brainerd, Hibbing, and Grand Rapids. It spans a large portion of Minnesota’s north and northwest, reaching to the Canadian border. Counties within 218 include St. Louis, Beltrami, Clay, Crow Wing, Itasca, Becker, and others.
Location Info
The 218 area code encompasses northern and northwestern Minnesota, running from the western border with North Dakota (including Moorhead) east to Duluth on Lake Superior, and northward to International Falls at the Canadian border. It does not include the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area or southern Minnesota. The region is known for its forests, lakes, and proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Population Demographics
The area’s population is predominantly White, with significant Native American communities, especially within and near reservations such as Red Lake and Leech Lake. The region is more rural and less densely populated than the rest of Minnesota, with many small towns and communities. Population centers like Duluth and Moorhead serve as economic and cultural hubs.
Time Zone Info
Area code 218 is located entirely within the Central Time Zone (CT).
Other Area Code Details
Area code 218 is one of the original area codes established in 1947. The region is renowned for natural attractions such as Lake Superior’s North Shore, the Boundary Waters, and the Mississippi River’s headwaters at Lake Itasca. Duluth, the largest city in the 218 area, is a major Great Lakes port.
