City of Wakefield

image
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Country: England

§ This page provides an overview of an officially designated city in the UK, bringing together various information to help you better understand this city.

Wakefield gained city status in 1888 on establishment of its cathedral see, and the title was reconfirmed for the reformed metropolitan district in 1974. Historically a centre for textiles, glass and coal, the modern City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council has governed the wider conurbation since 1974. Regionally, Wakefield has been within the West Yorkshire Combined Authority since 2014, with a directly elected mayor from 2021 strengthening strategic powers over transport, skills and economic development.

City Council Status

Wakefield Council is a metropolitan district authority covering the City of Wakefield district; it is part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority under a directly elected mayor.

In the UK, a city is not defined by size or population but by formal status granted by the monarch, often through historical charters or, more recently, civic honours competitions. There are 76 officially recognised cities, some of which are relatively small compared to other urban areas. In contrast, local authority districts (361 in total) are administrative areas created for local government purposes and may include a mix of urban centres, suburbs, and rural communities. Within districts, there may be one or more towns, which generally refer to sizeable urban settlements but do not hold city status unless it has been formally granted. In practice, a city can exist within a district, and a district can cover multiple towns, showing the clear distinction between legal status, administrative boundaries, and everyday usage.

Cities in Yorkshire and The Humber