In recent decades, the area has seen increasing residential, commercial, and industrial development, especially around the neighbourhoods of Brentwood Bay and Saanichton, which are occasionally referred to as separate communities.

The area's best-known tourist attractions are the Butchart Gardens, located in the Brentwood Bay area, Gowlland Tod Provincial Park,[3] and Island View Beach.

The mayor of Central Saanich is former district councillor Ryan Windsor.

Municipal councillors last elected in 2022[4] include Niall Paltiel, Sarah Riddell, Zeb King, Bob Thompson, Gord Newton, and Christopher Graham.

[11] Potatoes from this region of Central Saanich are banned from entry into the United States.