The district elected seven members to Belfast City Council and contained the wards of Bellevue, Castleview; Cavehill, Cliftonville; Duncairn; Fortwilliam; and Grove.
The DEA largely formed part of the Belfast North constituency.
The area was created for the 1973 local government elections.
The Cliftonville ward became part of the new Oldpark DEA.
Following the death of the DUP's William Annon in October 1983, a by-election was held on 23 February 1984.