Manchester township or civil parish was in Lancashire. It was in Manchester ecclesiastical parish and in Manchester poor law Union. In 1792 commissioners, usually known as police commissioners, were established for the improvement of the area of the township. In 1838 the Borough of Manchester was established, comprising the areas of Manchester, Beswick, Cheetham, Chorlton upon Medlock and Hulme townships. By 1846 the Borough Council had taken over the powers of the police commissioners. In 1853 the Borough received the title of City. In 1885 Bradford, Harpurhey, Rusholme and parts of Moss Side and Withington townships became part of the City. In 1889 the City became a County Borough.
Other Lancashire areas were added to the City from 1890 to 1933, in 1931 the Cheshire civil parishes of Baguley, Northenden and Northern Etchells and in 1974 the Cheshire civil parish of Ringway. In 1974 the City became a Metropolitan District in Greater Manchester County.
Alterations in boundary between Manchester' and areas in Lancashire, 1890-1933;