The district had an identical area to the previous administrative county of Montgomeryshire.

The district was abolished in 1996, with Powys County Council taking over its functions.

The district was formed as Montgomery on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972.

[5] The district was abolished by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, with its functions transferring to Powys County Council on 1 April 1996.

[6] The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974.