It was created initially in 1955 from the southern part of York North.

It was dissolved in 1963 when it was split into three ridings called Yorkview, Downsview and Armourdale.

In 1967, it was reconstituted north of Steeles in the township of Markham.

The name was given to a new riding formed in its original location south of Steeles.

York Centre consists of the part of the City of Toronto within the North York district bounded on the north by the northern city limit, and on the east, south and west by a line drawn from the city limit south along Yonge Street, west along the hydroelectric transmission line north of Finch Avenue West, south along Bathurst Street, southeast along the Don River West Branch, southwest and west along Highway 401, north along Jane Street, east along Sheppard Avenue West, northwest along Black Creek, east along Grandravine Drive, and north along Keele Street to the city limit.