Area code · Illinois
Get a 224 phone number
Unlimited calling and texting.
A 224 number reads as Chicago's northern and northwestern suburbs, covering places like Evanston, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights. You pick it right in the Ghost app and start calling and texting in minutes, no new SIM or plan required.
See why thousands trust Ghost for their virtual phone number
Why choose a 224 virtual phone number?
Look local to suburban Chicago buyers
If you're selling furniture, a car, or anything on a local marketplace, a 224 number signals you're actually in the Evanston or Schaumburg area, not out of state.
Dating in the northern suburbs
Matches in Arlington Heights or Palatine tend to trust a number that matches where you say you live. A 224 number backs that up without handing over your main line.
Job hunting near Chicago's suburban corridor
Applying to roles based in Schaumburg or Evanston reads better with a local callback number. Recruiters notice when the area code lines up with the job.
Moving to the area
Get a 224 number before you arrive in Evanston or Waukegan so you can start setting up appointments and leases with a number locals recognize.
Keep the number after you leave
If you relocate away from Elgin or Cicero, you can keep using your 224 number for old contacts and family who still expect it.
Separate work from personal life
Give clients or customers a 224 number tied to the Chicago suburbs while keeping your personal cell for friends and family.
How to get a 224 phone number
- 1
Pick your area code
Choose any 224 area code, or any other US or Canadian code.
- 2
Choose your number
See available numbers instantly and pick the one you like.
- 3
Start calling and texting
Your number works over WiFi or data for everyday calling and texting. No SIM card, no new phone plan.
- 4
Stay in control
Mute it, set it to Do Not Disturb, or delete and replace it whenever you want.
Ghost can't be used for 911 or emergency calls, so keep your regular line for those.
Get My 224 NumberAbout the 224 area code
Area code
224
State
Illinois
Overlay codes
312, 708, 773, 872
Cities served
12+
The 224 area code serves Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, including Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Schaumburg, Evanston, Arlington Heights, and Palatine. It covers a wide stretch of the greater Chicago metro, from lakefront communities to inland suburban centers.
224 shares the broader Chicago metro numbering plan with 312, 708, 773, and 872. Each of those codes covers a different slice of the region, so a 224 number sits alongside them rather than replacing any of them.
The entire region runs on America/Chicago time. Calling contacts anywhere from Evanston to Waukegan or Cicero means everyone's on the same clock, so no timezone math is needed for local calls or texts.
Coverage from public numbering and census data. Sources
Local economy
Why do business in Evanston?
The 224 area code covers a wide band of Chicago's suburbs, from lakefront towns like Evanston and Waukegan to inland hubs like Schaumburg and Elgin. It's a mix of established suburban centers and growing commercial districts.
Healthcare
Hospitals and medical practices across the Evanston and Waukegan area serve as major local employers and daily points of contact for residents.
Education
The suburbs served by 224 are home to school districts and higher education institutions that anchor local employment and community life.
Logistics and manufacturing
Towns like Elgin and Cicero have long supported warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing operations tied to the greater Chicago supply chain.
224 numbers by city
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I get a 224 phone number?
You can pick a 224 number in the Ghost app and be calling and texting within minutes. No paperwork, no waiting on a carrier.
Which cities use the 224 area code?
224 covers Chicago, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Schaumburg, Evanston, Arlington Heights, and Palatine, spanning much of the northern and northwestern Chicago suburbs.
Can I keep my 224 number if I move away from the area?
Yes. As long as your Ghost plan stays active, you can keep using your 224 number no matter where you move.
How much does a 224 number cost with Ghost?
Ghost Premium is $60 every 2 months and includes 5 phone numbers, unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada, your choice of area code, and the ability to delete and replace your number. Cancel anytime. No contracts.
Ready for your 224 number?
Pick a 224 (or 312, 708, 773, 872) number and start calling and texting in minutes.
Get My 224 Number