[4] The Ordnance Survey map from the early 1880s shows just how isolated the ancient Ely village was from the rest of Cardiff.

Reports about travelling along the main road over Ely Common to Cardiff talk of potholes and no shelter and a terrible journey on foot.

A railway station had only recently been constructed, and this gave the surrounding area further potential for mass housing development.

[citation needed] The 'Ely Industrial School' on Cowbridge Road East was home to orphaned children originally from Cardiff.

[citation needed] As a result, like other plots of land with similar conditions, the boundaries of the old estate can be approximated by the locations of public houses around the area.

[citation needed] Ely's rapid expansion of housing began in the 1920s to provide 'homes fit for heroes' after World War I.

But the residents of Ely are keen to dispel this reputation, citing the fact it is a very large, close-knit community.

[citation needed] In June 1993, 45-year-old former steelworker Les Reed was beaten to death after he challenged a gang of youths on the estate after he and a friend witnessed them vandalising a bollard in the middle of a road.

[12] On the night of 22-23 May 2023, rioting broke out in the area after two teenage boys, Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, were killed when the electric bike they were riding crashed.

Many small shops and local businesses are notably on Wilson Road and Grand Avenue; and other chain stores are in the Caerau ward.