Both districts fall under the jurisdiction of the Penang Island City Council.

In 1786, the British East India Company had taken control of Penang Island, establishing the city of George Town at the island's northeastern tip.

In 1888, a District and Land Office was established at Balik Pulau at the southwest of the island.

Both districts first appeared in official maps dating back to the 1890s.

[4] The Southwest District is further divided into 23 subdivisions, officially known as mukims.