What Is the 715 Area Code?
The 715 area code is a telephone area code in the United States. It helps connect phone calls in a big part of northern and central Wisconsin. When someone dials a number starting with 715, the call goes to this region.
This area code is one of the oldest in the country. It started in 1947 when the phone system in North America added area codes. Back then, it covered the northern part of Wisconsin. Today, it still serves the same area but now works together with another code called 534 (an overlay added later).
People in this area use 715 (or 534) for local calls, cell phones, businesses, and homes. If you see a phone number with 715, you know it comes from beautiful northern Wisconsin.
Where Is the 715 Area Code Located?
The 715 area code covers most of northern Wisconsin and parts of central Wisconsin. This is a large region with forests, lakes, rivers, and small towns. It includes areas near Lake Superior in the north and goes down toward the center of the state.
Wisconsin is in the Midwest of the USA. The 715 region is known for its natural beauty. You can find big woods, many lakes for fishing and boating, and nice places for outdoor fun like hiking and hunting.
The time zone here is Central Time Zone (also called CST or Central Standard Time). In winter, it’s GMT-6. In summer (daylight saving time), it changes to CDT (GMT-5). This means when it’s noon in New York (Eastern Time), it’s 11 AM in the 715 area.
The region has cold winters with snow and warm summers. Many people enjoy four seasons here—fall colors are very pretty with red and orange leaves.
History of the 715 Area Code
The story of 715 starts long ago. In 1947, the phone company (AT&T) created the first area codes in North America. They made 86 codes total. 715 was one of them, and it was given to northern Wisconsin.
At first, 715 covered a very big area because fewer people had phones. As more people got phones, the state needed more codes. For example:
- In 1955, some parts moved to other codes like 608.
- In 1997, eastern parts got 920.
By 2008-2010, the 715 area was running out of phone numbers. To fix this without changing the whole system, they added an overlay. An overlay means a new code works in the same place as the old one.
So, on August 14, 2010, area code 534 started as an overlay for 715. Now both codes serve the exact same places. When you get a new phone number here, it can be 715 or 534.
This overlay helped add many more numbers without splitting the area. People can keep their old 715 numbers, and new ones can use either code.
Major Cities and Towns in the 715 Area Code
The 715 area covers many cities and towns. Some are bigger, and some are small and quiet. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Eau Claire — One of the biggest cities. It has about 70,000 people (metro area over 100,000). Known for universities, music festivals, and the Chippewa River.
- Wausau — A key city in central north. It has mountains for skiing, good schools, and businesses. Population around 40,000.
- Superior — In the far north near Lake Superior. It’s a port city with history in shipping and railroads.
- Stevens Point — Home to a university and known for rivers and parks.
- Marshfield — Famous for medical clinics and cheese production.
- Wisconsin Rapids — Near paper mills and the Wisconsin River.
- Menomonie — Has a university and nice parks.
- River Falls — Close to the St. Croix River, good for outdoor activities.
- Hudson — Near the Minnesota border, growing fast.
- Chippewa Falls — Known for Leinenkugel’s beer and history.
Other popular towns include:
- Rhinelander
- Hayward
- Rice Lake
- Ashland
- Spooner
- Minocqua
- Eagle River
- Park Falls
- Ladysmith
- Black River Falls
There are over 200 cities, towns, and villages in total. Many are small communities with friendly people and close to nature.
Counties Covered by 715 Area Code
The 715 area code serves many counties in Wisconsin. Here are some main ones:
- Ashland County
- Barron County
- Bayfield County
- Burnett County
- Chippewa County
- Douglas County
- Dunn County
- Eau Claire County
- Florence County
- Forest County
- Iron County
- Marathon County
- Marinette County
- Oneida County
- Polk County
- Portage County
- Price County
- Rusk County
- Sawyer County
- St. Croix County
- Taylor County
- Trempealeau County
- Vilas County
- Washburn County
- Waupaca County
- Wood County
And more—about 39 counties in total. This makes 715 one of the largest area codes by land size in Wisconsin.
Time Zone and Local Time Details
As said before, the whole 715 area is in the Central Time Zone.
- Standard time: Central Standard Time (CST) — UTC-6
- Daylight saving time (March to November): Central Daylight Time (CDT) — UTC-5
Clocks change twice a year:
- Spring forward one hour in March.
- Fall back one hour in November.
This matches most of the Midwest. If you call from California (Pacific Time), it’s two hours earlier here.
Interesting Facts About the 715 Region
Northern Wisconsin (715 area) is special. Here are some fun things:
- It has thousands of lakes—great for fishing walleye, muskie, and bass.
- The Apostle Islands (in Bayfield County) are beautiful national lakeshore with sea caves and kayaking.
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers huge areas—perfect for camping and wildlife.
- Many Native American communities and reservations are here, like Lac du Flambeau and Bad River.
- The area has famous cheese, cranberries, and beer (like in Chippewa Falls).
- Winter sports: skiing in Wausau area, snowmobiling on big trails.
- Summer fun: boating on Lake Superior or the Chippewa Flowage.
People here love nature, small-town life, and friendly neighbors.
How to Call a 715 Number
To call a number in the 715 area:
- From inside the USA: Just dial 1 + area code + number (like 1-715-xxx-xxxx).
- From outside the USA: Use the country code +1, then area code and number.
- Local calls within 715/534: Usually no need for 1, just the 7-digit number (but many places require 10 digits now).
Because of the overlay, some neighbors have different area codes (715 or 534), but they are in the same town.
Why People Search for 715 Area Code
Many people look up 715 because:
- They got a call from this area and want to know where it’s from.
- They want a local number for business in Wisconsin.
- They are moving to or visiting northern Wisconsin.
- They need to know the time difference.
If you have a 715 number, it shows a connection to this peaceful, nature-filled part of America.
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Final Thoughts
The 715 area code (with its overlay 534) is more than just numbers—it represents northern Wisconsin’s charm. From big cities like Eau Claire and Wausau to quiet lake towns like Minocqua and Hayward, this region offers beauty, history, and a relaxed way of life.
Whether you live here, have family here, or just got a call from here, now you know all about it. The 715 area connects people across forests, lakes, and friendly communities in the heart of Wisconsin.
If you need more details about a specific city or town in this area, feel free to ask!
About the Author
Mary Correa is a content writer with 9 years of experience. She loves writing about luxury villas and travel. Her articles are easy to read and full of exciting ideas. Mary helps readers discover amazing places to visit and stay. When she’s not writing, she enjoys exploring new destinations.
