title: City of Castlemaine
text: # City of Castlemaine
  
  The City of Castlemaine was a local government area about 120 kilometres (75 mi) north-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia, and 38 kilometres (24 mi) south of the regional city of Bendigo. The city covered an area of 23.31 square kilometres (9.0 sq mi), and existed from 1855 until 1995.
  
  ## History
  
  Castlemaine was first incorporated as a municipal district on 23 April 1855. It became a borough on 1 October 1863, a town on 30 January 1950, and was proclaimed a city on 4 December 1965.
  
  On 20 January 1995, the City of Castlemaine was abolished, and along with the Shires of Maldon, Metcalfe and Newstead, was merged into the newly created Shire of Mount Alexander.
  
  ### Wards
  
  The City of Castlemaine was not divided into wards, and its nine councillors represented the entire city.
  
  ## Population
  
  | Year | Population |
  | - | - |
  | 1954 | 6,577 |
  | 1958 | 7,020* |
  | 1961 | 7,216 |
  | 1966 | 7,082 |
  | 1971 | 6,915 |
  | 1976 | 6,675 |
  | 1981 | 6,564 |
  | 1986 | 6,603 |
  | 1991 | 6,812 |
  
  * Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
  