[4] The council area covers 4,415 square kilometres and had a population of approximately 1,100 at the 2016 Census.

It is entirely in the state electorate of Chaffey and the federal Division of Barker.

[4] The township of Karoonda was established in 1913 when the mallee railway lines were put in place to open the area to grain growing, as previous pastoral runs had failed.

It includes the towns and localities of Bakara, Borrika, Copeville, Galga, Halidon, Karoonda, Marama, Mindarie, Perponda, Sandalwood, Wanbi and Wynarka, as well as parts of Bowhill, Mantung and Mercunda.

[3] The District Council of Karoonda East Murray has a directly-elected mayor.