It also serves the nearby rural area within the County of Northern Lights including Deadwood, Hotchkiss, North Star and Notikewin.

The community of Manning sprung up as a result of growing agricultural development following the First World War as the Dominion government sought to provide land to returning soldiers to participate in the workforce.

[6] The northern communities suffered from limited medical resources, which were facilitated by mobile clinics staffed with Registered Nurses.

[6] In fall 1936 construction began on the eight bed Battle River Hospital, which was completed later on September 4, 1937, and would later become the hub of the new Aurora settlement.

[6] The official settlement was founded by American Patrick "Pat" Larry Craig, who purchased land on the south bank of the Notikewin River and built the Aurora hotel, secured a liquor license and constructed other buildings after the Second World War.

[9] In 1947 the Mackenzie Highway was pushed through the region and the community became a government construction and maintenance center, and quickly eclipsed North Star and Notikewin in population.

[6] At a public meeting in 1947, the community was renamed in honour of Ernest Manning who had become Premier of Alberta four years earlier in 1943, and would serve in the role until 1968.

[20] The Battle River Pioneer Museum is home to many pieces of antique farming equipment, vehicles and other extraordinary items, like the albino moose and Cleave Whitaker's childhood crib.

[2] Provincially, the Town of Manning is represented by the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River, which is held by Dan Williams since the 2019 Alberta general election.

Federally, the Town of Manning is represented by the Member of Parliament for Grande Prairie-Mackenzie, which is held by Chris Warkentin.