[5] The council includes the towns and localities of Allendale East, Blackfellows Caves, Canunda, Cape Douglas, Caroline, Carpenter Rocks, Caveton, Compton, Dismal Swamp, Donovans, Eight Mile Creek, German Creek, Kongorong, Mil-Lel, Mingbool, Moorak, Mount Schank, Nene Valley, Pelican Point, Pleasant Park, Port MacDonnell, Racecourse Bay, Square Mile, Tarpeena, Wandilo, Wye and Yahl, and parts of Burrungule, Glenburnie, OB Flat, Suttontown, Tantanoola, Wepar and Worrolong.

By the end of the 1860s there were enough people in town and surrounding smaller settlements to warrant the proclamation of the District Council of Port MacDonnell.

[9] The economy of the district relies on a range of industries, including agriculture, fishing, forestry and tourism.

Cereal crops and horticulture dominate many agricultural areas in the district, with beef, dairy and sheep production also prominent activities.

[10][11] During autumn, many visitors also arrive to take advantage of the run of bluefin tuna along the coast, with fish caught out over the edge of the continental shelf.