Manchester City Council used the Local Government Act 1929 to extend its boundaries to encompass Northenden in 1931 and throughout the mid-20th century it was redeveloped as an overspill estate.

[5] As Northenden is on a major (and very old) crossing place of the Mersey on the salt road from Cheshire to Manchester, it prospered in medieval times.

The ford was an important way into and out of and into Manchester (now Ford Lane), as there was no bridge over the Mersey between Sale and Stockport, until in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie's army built a troop-bridge out of big poplar tree trunks where the B5095 (Manchester Road, Didsbury) now crosses the Mersey, south of Didsbury, in his abortive attempt to seize the crown of England.

[citation needed] Northenden was one of the eight ancient parishes of the Macclesfield hundred of Cheshire and included the township of Northen Etchells.

[7] Northenden is part of the Wythenshawe and Sale East constituency, represented by the Labour Party MP Mike Kane.

[12] In 2003, following a review by the Boundary Committee for England, the Wythenshawe ward of Benchill was disestablished after it was named the most deprived ward in England in the Index of Multiple Deprivation (the Index is a governmental measure of local employment, income, health, education, housing, child poverty, and availability of local services).

[15] St Wilfrid's contains a memorial to 19th-century railway chairman Sir Edward Watkin, founder of the Channel Tunnel Company, who is buried in the church grounds.

The Grade II listed building is a noted example of Art Deco Moderne architecture, with an elaborately decorated foyer and auditorium, and its white faience facade is a striking local landmark.

Northenden Social Club's first premises was a converted First World War army hut, originally used by the medical officer at Heaton Park.

The River Mersey passes through Northenden and one of its more popular parts is the weir, which now has a fish ladder enabling migrating salmon and sea trout to get upstream.

[citation needed] A footbridge crosses the Mersey above the weir, and it forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail walking and cycling route across England.

Originally named the Boat House Inn, it was designed in 1874 by the architect James Redford and is a noted example of Tudor Revival architecture.

London-born businessman Absalom Watkin (1787–1861) purchased Rose Hill, a large villa off Longley Lane (now on Bronington Close), in 1832 as his family home.

[19][20] Manchester indie rock band Doves wrote a song called "Northenden", that was included as a bonus track on their 2002 album The Last Broadcast.