Billinge was a civil parish lying within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire on 2 February 1837 it was divided into two townships, Billinge Chapel End and Billinge Higher End when the Wigan poor law union was formed merging the workhouse provision of 20 parishes in the Wigan area. The poor law union built the Wigan Poor Law Infirmary in 1906 which became Billinge Hospital. In 1872 Billinge Local Board of Health was established for the area of these two townships and two detached parts of Winstanley township (one known as Blackley Hurst and the other situated in the Carr Mill area, both lying within the area of Billinge Chapel End township).