What are the SSN prefixes for Iowa?

Iowa was assigned the area-number range 478-485. A Social Security number issued there before 2011 begins with one of these three-digit numbers.

Does an SSN starting with 478 mean the person is from Iowa?

For cards issued before June 25, 2011, an SSN whose first three digits fall in Iowa's range was issued in Iowa, usually based on the mailing address on the application, not necessarily birthplace. Numbers issued after randomization carry no location meaning.

How can I check a specific number?

Use the SSN checker to enter a full number and see whether its structure is valid, which state it maps to, and a rough estimate of when it was issued.

Social Security Number Prefixes for Iowa

Area numbers 478-485

area range: 1
lowest area number: 478
highest area number: 485
area numbers: 8

Iowa was assigned the Social Security area-number range 478-485. Before SSA randomized number assignment in June 2011, any SSN beginning with one of these three-digit prefixes was issued in Iowa, generally based on the mailing address on the application. Newer numbers are assigned randomly and no longer indicate a state.

Iowa area-number ranges

Area-number range	Count
478-485	8

Sample Iowa SSN patterns

Estimated issue years for the lowest area/group combinations (illustrative):

Pattern	Estimated issued	Status
478-01-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-03-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-05-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-07-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-09-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-10-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-12-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-14-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-16-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-18-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-20-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-22-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-24-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-26-####	1936-1950	Valid
478-28-####	1937-1951	Valid
478-30-####	1939-1952	Valid
478-32-####	1940-1953	Valid
478-34-####	1942-1954	Valid
478-36-####	1943-1955	Valid
478-38-####	1945-1956	Valid
478-40-####	1946-1957	Valid
478-42-####	1948-1958	Valid
478-44-####	1949-1959	Valid
478-46-####	1951-1960	Valid

Frequently asked questions

What are the SSN prefixes for Iowa?: Iowa was assigned the area-number range 478-485. A Social Security number issued there before 2011 begins with one of these three-digit numbers.
Does an SSN starting with 478 mean the person is from Iowa?: For cards issued before June 25, 2011, an SSN whose first three digits fall in Iowa's range was issued in Iowa, usually based on the mailing address on the application, not necessarily birthplace. Numbers issued after randomization carry no location meaning.
How can I check a specific number?: Use the SSN checker to enter a full number and see whether its structure is valid, which state it maps to, and a rough estimate of when it was issued.

Check a specific number with the SSN checker, or see all states.