Area code 574 serves north-central Indiana, including cities such as South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, and Plymouth. It was established in 2002 after splitting from area code 219, following a rise in population and demand for phone numbers. South Bend, home to the University of Notre Dame, is the region’s cultural and economic hub. The 574 region is known for its RV manufacturing, higher education, and a blend of urban and rural communities. Ten-digit dialing is not currently mandatory as the area has sufficient numbering capacity. 574 is widely recognized throughout Indiana as a symbol of the state’s northern heartland.