The district covered the town of Immingham and the parishes of Ashby-cum-Fenby, Aylesby, Barnoldby-le-Beck, Beelsby, Bradley, Brigsley, East Ravendale, Habrough, Hatcliffe, Hawerby-cum-Beesby, Healing, Humberston, Irby, Laceby, New Waltham (from 1961), Stallingborough, Waltham, West Ravendale, and Wold Newton.

Four additional parishes were part of the district at some point, but were abolished prior to 1974.

Finally, Weelsby was given to Humberston and New Waltham parishes in 1968.

When the county of Humberside was formed in 1974, the Grimsby rural district and the Cleethorpes municipal borough were combined to form the new borough of Cleethorpes.

In 1996 the area became part of the new unitary authority of North East Lincolnshire.