It is part of the municipality of Múlaþing and, as of 2024, the area has a population of 91 inhabitants.

Borgarfjörður eystri is also home to a large puffin colony.

[4][5] A church in Borgarfjörður eystri has a painting by Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval that depicts Jesus on the cross on an elf hill.

[7][8] Kjarvalsstofa is a museum in Bakkagerði dedicated to the painter who grew up in the area.

The film Heartstone was shot in Borgarfjörður eystri.