Hamilton West is located close to the central part of the city of Hamilton, known as Hamilton Central, where notable attractions bordering on Hamilton West include Waikato Museum and St Peter's Cathedral, the Anglican cathedral for the Diocese of Waikato, both on Victoria Street.

The former office of the Waikato District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, now Diggers Bar and Café is located in the suburb.

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a larger boundary, covering 0.91 km2 (0.35 sq mi).

The percentage of people born overseas was 36.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 36.4% had no religion, 41.1% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 7.5% were Hindu, 2.0% were Muslim, 0.9% were Buddhist and 6.8% had other religions.