On 22 August 1889 the division of Philipstown was subdivided into six districts for Divisional Council purposes under Section 4 of Act 4 of 1865 and Section 7 of Act 30 of 1888 (Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 7113, 23 August 1889, Proclamation No 162, 22 August 1889). The first council meeting was held on 29 October 1889 (4/PLT 1/1/1/1).

On 1 January 1980 the Divisional Council of Philipstown was reconstituted together with the Divisional Councils of De Aar and Hanover to form the amalgamated Divisional Council of Bo-Karoo (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 4061, 20 July 1979, Proclamation No 174, 18 July 1979).