Nibong Tebal had been in existence since the early 19th century as an agricultural village. Sugar harvesting formed the mainstay of Nibong Tebal's economy during its early years; the industry was dominated by the Europeans due to their technological superiority. By the mid-19th century, Penang Sugar Estates Limited, which was based in Nibong Tebal, became the largest producer of sugar within Province Wellesley. Upon the death of its owner, Edward Horsman, the Ramsden family, one of Britain's richest families, acquired the company. European influence in Nibong Tebal soon permeated into the area's social fabric, with the arrival of Catholic missionaries in the late 19th century. By then, Nibong Tebal had attracted significant numbers of Chinese immigrants. A Taoist temple had been built in the area in 1866. Nibong Tebal also became a stronghold of the Ghee Hin Kongsi, one of the active Chinese secret societies in Penang at the time. In 1900, the nascent railway line between Perai and Bukit Mertajam was extended to Nibong Tebal, and by 1902, the railroad was joined to Perak's new railway line as well. This boosted Nibong Tebal's new role as a transportation hub, a role which was maintained until the 1930s. The completion of a road bridge across the Kerian River led to Nibong Tebal's decline as a transportation hub.
Demographics
, Nibong Tebal had a population of 2,045. Ethnic Chinese accounted for more than of the population, followed by the Indians at nearly 19% and the Malays at 7%.
Transportation
The Federal Route 1, a major trunk road along western Peninsular Malaysia, runs through the heart of Nibong Tebal. It stretches across the Kerian River and is connected to Jalan Transkrian, which leads to the neighbourhood of Transkerian to the south. The Nibong Tebal railway station is one of the stops along the Malayan Railway's Electric Train Service route along western Peninsular Malaysia. Rapid Penang's bus routes 801, 802 and 803 link Nibong Tebal with other areas of Seberang Perai, including Butterworth, Perai and Bukit Mertajam. These routes are complemented by Rapid Penang's Congestion Alleviation Transport, a free-of-charge transit service within Nibong Tebal. In addition, Nibong Tebal is served by two of Rapid Penang's interstate services, namely route 804 and Intercity Parit Buntar; both routes connect Nibong Tebal with Parit Buntar in the neighbouring state of Perak.
In addition, there are two government-run tertiary institutes, namely the Arumugam Pillai Industrial Training Institute and Institut Kemahiran Tinggi PERDA.
