The arrondissement of Bergues was created in 1800. The subprefecture was moved to Dunkirk in 1803.[4]
As a result of the reorganisation of the cantons of France which came into effect in 2015, the borders of the cantons are no longer related to the borders of the arrondissements. The cantons of the arrondissement of Dunkirk were, as of January 2015:[5]