At its time of establishment, Adelaide's (and Australia's) first mayor, James Hurtle Fisher, was elected.

However, due to a combination of constitutional difficulties arising from the mayor's resignation, hostility of the incoming Governor George Grey, and falling revenues due to the onset of the colony's first economic crisis, the corporation became moribund in 1843, after the Province had become a Crown colony established by the South Australia Act 1842.

With the positive economic effects of the Victorian gold rush, a formal municipality was re-established in 1852, and "has operated continuously ever since".

[6] The Council started in 1840 with nineteen members, who chose four of their number to be Aldermen, and then one of these (James Hurtle Fisher) to be Mayor.

[2] In 2015, the Council became the first government of any kind in Australia to offer a financial incentive for installing battery systems.

The Act defines the Constitution of the council, including the role, allowances and benefits of the Lord Mayor and members.

[16]In seeking a return to higher density population levels, Adelaide City Council launched its 'New Directions' with its three themes of Capacity, Vivacity and Audacity on 3 July 2001.

According to the Annual Reports,[18] the population has increased rapidly, due to the targets stated in the strategic plans developed at about that time.

The following table sets out the figures of various types of city population in the 21st century:[18][20] * Visitors to the city from the Adelaide Metropolitan area, for all purposes ** Square kilometres (millions of square metres) of office space.

[24] The City of Adelaide's administrative offices are located in the Colonel William Light Centre building at 25 Pirie Street, adjacent to the Adelaide Town Hall in King William Street.