The city is situated within the western suburbs of the metropolitan area—known colloquially as the “golden triangle” for the concentration of wealth and high housing values.

Following an unsuccessful effort to amalgamate metropolitan local governments in 2016, the state government expanded the boundary of the City of Perth to incorporate a portion of the City of Nedlands that included the University of Western Australia and surrounding residential areas.

Following the change of government in the 2017 state election, the City of Nedlands experienced sustained political pressure to accommodate infill development and higher residential densities.

A subsequent spate of development applications led to significant community unrest and opposition and contributed to the resignations of key executive staff[6] (including the chief executive officer and director of planning) and the mayor.

[8] The suburbs of the City of Nedlands with population and size figures based on the most recent Australian census:[9][10] * Shared with other council areas (Subiaco; Cambridge; Perth) As of 2024[update], there are 22 places on the State Register of Heritage Places in the City of Nedlands, among them the Captain Stirling Hotel and Graylands Hospital.