Originally called Frankton West,[citation needed] it was renamed in July 1961 after Thomas Dinsdale.

[4] It is located around a low ridge with some views westward to open farm land.

The community church of West Hamilton is located in the suburb.

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a larger boundary, covering 3.08 km2 (1.19 sq mi).

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.5% had no religion, 35.1% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 2.2% were Hindu, 0.8% were Muslim, 0.8% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.