Suburbs include Aberfeldie, Airport West, Avondale Heights, Essendon, Footscray, Gowanbrae, Keilor East, Maribyrnong, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, West Footscray and Tullamarine.

According to the 2011 census, Maribyrnong has the highest proportion of Catholics in any Commonwealth Electoral Division in Australia with 41.6% of the population.

[3] The division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 13 July 1906, and was first contested at the 1906 election.

Prominent former members include James Fenton, a minister under James Scullin and Joseph Lyons; Arthur Drakeford, a minister under John Curtin, Frank Forde and Ben Chifley; and Moss Cass, a minister under Gough Whitlam.

The most recent member for Maribyrnong, serving from 2007 until 2025, is the former National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union and former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.