The areas to the south of the Marutamachi-dori Street and to the north of the Shijo-dori Street were each separated from the former Kamigyo Ward and the former Shimogyo Ward (which includes towns along the Shijo-dori Street) to create Nakagyo Ward.
中京区は、旧上京区の丸太町通以南と旧下京区の四条通以北（四条通に面する町は下京区）から分離して成立したものである。