Prior to 1936, Trimurjo was part of Gunungsugih onder district;[4] it was isolated, without much influence from the indigenous Lampungese people.

[5] However, beginning in 1936 the Dutch colonial government sent Javanese migrants to colonise the area, which served to relieve overpopulation on Java, and mitigate the influence of Indonesian independence activists.

[8] By 1941 a mosque, post office, large market, and inn had been built, and electricity and telephone lines had been installed.

[11] The migration program was continued under the name imin kakari,[12] and seventy Javanese migrants were used as forced labour in the construction of the nearby Natar and Astra Ksetra airstrips as well as numerous bunkers and other strategic assets; those who resisted were shot.

When they first arrived, they were unable to enter as the bridge to the city in Tempuran had been destroyed by a 26-man troop of the Indonesian army, under the command of Second Lieutenant Bursyah; the Dutch convoy was forced to retreat.

However, the following day the Dutch returned in greater numbers and attacked from Tegineneng, eventually entering the city and killing three Indonesian soldiers.

[13] Upon entering the city, the Dutch forces were besieged by sabotage by 41 soldiers under the command of Second Lieutenant Raden Sudarto.

Despite an extended guerrilla campaign by the Indonesian military, the Dutch eventually retook Metro in 1949, surrendering it that same year.

Retail chains began entering the city, a movie theatre and stadium was built, the town square was redesigned as a park, and Cendrawasih market was renovated.

[17] On 14 August 1986, Metro was designated an administrative city, in accordance with Government Decree Number 34 of 1986, with the formal ceremony taking place on 6 September 1987.

[18] Metro was established as an autonomous city (kota) with the passing of Law Number 12 of 1999 on 27 April 1999,[19] with Gunungsugih becoming the capital of Central Lampung.

[20] The first mayor after Metro's establishment as an autonomous city was Mozes Herman, with Lukman Hakim as vice-mayor.

The five districts are subdivided into 22 administrative urban villages (kelurahan), each listed with its population at the 2010 census and its postal code.