The district contains four main towns whose economy was based on coal mining and remains to some extent influenced by engineering, distribution and manufacturing, holding for instance the headquarters and production site of Thorntons confectionery.

The village of Crich and other parts of the district were the setting for ITV drama series Peak Practice.

[4] Amber Valley was granted borough status in 1989, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.

The exception is Riddings, which is an unparished area, being the only part of the former Alfreton Urban District not to have been subsequently added to a parish.

[16] In terms of television, the Amber Valley is served by BBC East Midlands and ITV Central broadcasting from the Waltham transmitter.