The old municipality encircled the town of Kristiansand, and it included the villages such as Flekkerøy, Vågsbygd, Slettheia, Lund, Strai, Mosby, and Justvik.

[5] On 31 December 1893, the area on the east side of the Topdalsfjorden (population: 1,113) was separated to form the new municipality of Randesund.

Other places in Kristiansand that were a part of Oddernes was the entire Vågsbygd borough (except for Voiebyen) as well as Hellemyr, Strai, Mosby, Lund, and Justvik.

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Oddernæs farm (Old Norse: Otrunes) since the first Oddernes Church was built there.

[8] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Oddernes was made up of representatives that were elected to four year terms.