title: City of Bendigo
text: # City of Bendigo
  
  The City of Bendigo was a local government area covering the central area and inner western suburbs of the regional city of Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of 32.53 square kilometres (12.6 sq mi), and existed from 1855 to 1994.
  
  ## History
  
  The City of Bendigo was first incorporated as the Sandhurst Municipality on 24 April 1855. It became a borough on 11 September 1863, and a city on 21 July 1871. It was renamed as the City of Bendigo on 8 May 1891.
  
  On 7 April 1994, the City of Bendigo was abolished, and along with the Borough of Eaglehawk, the Rural City of Marong and the Shires of Huntly and Strathfieldsaye, was merged into the newly created City of Greater Bendigo.
  
  ## Wards
  
  The City of Bendigo was divided into three wards, each of which elected three councillors:
  
  * Barkly Ward
  * Darling Ward
  * Sutton Ward
  
  ## Suburbs
  
  * Bendigo*
  * Golden Square
  * Ironbark
  * Long Gully
  * North Bendigo
  * Quarry Hill
  * West Bendigo
  * White Hills
  * Council seat.
  
  ## Population
  
  | Year | Population |
  | - | - |
  | 1954 | 28,726 |
  | 1958 | 30,700* |
  | 1961 | 30,195 |
  | 1966 | 30,792 |
  | 1971 | 32,007 |
  | 1976 | 32,573 |
  | 1981 | 31,841 |
  | 1986 | 30,704 |
  | 1991 | 30,134 |
  
  * Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
  