The neighbouring districts are West Lancashire, South Ribble, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton and Wigan.

Much of the borough is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[12] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Chorley.

The current Member of Parliament for Chorley is Lindsay Hoyle, who was first elected to the seat in 1997.

[17] Council meetings are held at Chorley Town Hall on Market Street, which had been completed in 1879 for the old local board.