It bordered the north and east shores of Lough Neagh, the largest fresh water lake in the United Kingdom, and included the towns of Antrim, Toomebridge, Crumlin, Randalstown, Parkgate and Templepatrick.

Although the borough was not within the Belfast Metropolitan Area, it housed the city's international airport and many commuter villages.

It had a well-developed transport infrastructure that provided easy access to all the main external gateways for Northern Ireland and all parts of the region.

Belfast International Airport was located within the borough, only 4 miles (6.4 km) from Antrim town.

Together with part of the districts of Newtownabbey and Lisburn, it formed the South Antrim constituency for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly.