The municipality of Leinstrand was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). According to the 1835 census, Leinstrand had a population of 1,165. On 1 January 1964, Leinstrand was incorporated into the urban municipality of Trondheim, along with Byneset, Strinda, and Tiller. Prior to the merger, Leinstrand had a population of 4,193.