History of local government in Wales

The history of local government in Wales in a recognisably modern form emerged during the late 19th century.

These were replaced in 1974 by a two-tier authority system across the country comprising eight counties and, within them, thirty-seven districts.

The counties were created by the Local Government Act 1888 (51 & 52 Vict.

The table shows the area and population of administrative counties in Wales as recorded at the censuses of 1891 and 1961.

2003/974 to ensure that each principal area is wholly within one preserved county.