Receive a local area code
518
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Economic Overview
The 518 area code region features a diverse economy with strengths in government, education, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. Major employers include New York State government agencies (centered in Albany), General Electric (in Schenectady), and several universities such as the University at Albany and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The area is also known for sectors like nanotechnology, finance, and tourism, especially in Saratoga Springs and the Adirondacks.
Geographical Overview
Area code 518 covers the eastern portion of upstate New York, including the Capital District and much of the upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack regions. Key cities include Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, and Plattsburgh. The region encompasses all or parts of counties such as Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Essex, Clinton, and Franklin.
Location Info
Area code 518’s boundaries stretch from the Capital District northward to the Canadian border, covering eastern upstate New York but excluding the Hudson Valley closer to New York City. Its coverage extends east to the Vermont border and west into the foothills of the Adirondacks. It is overlaid by area code 838, which was introduced in 2017.
Population Demographics
The population in the 518 area code region is diverse, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. The area has a population of roughly 1.7 million, with higher concentrations in the Albany metropolitan area and smaller, more dispersed populations throughout the Adirondack and North Country regions. Demographics include a majority White population, with growing Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities, and a median age slightly above the national average.
Time Zone Info
Area code 518 is located entirely within the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
Other Area Code Details
Area code 518 is one of the original North American area codes established in 1947 and is notable for containing New York’s state capital, Albany. The region hosts several historic sites, cultural events such as Saratoga Race Course, and abundant outdoor recreation in the Adirondack Park, one of the largest protected areas in the United States.
