[1] It also included the generally suburban areas of Northumberland Heath, Belvedere, and parts of Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, Crayford and the SE2 London Postal District of Abbey Wood.

The district was formed when the Local Government Act 1858 was adopted by the parish of Erith, and a Local Board was formed to govern the town.

[1] It moved to purpose-built offices at Erith Town Hall on 2 June 1932.

[2] The district ran its own tram services as Erith Urban District Council Tramways until they became the responsibility of the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933.

Its former area was combined with that of other districts to form the present-day London Borough of Bexley.