San Pedro River passes by the city.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Los Lagos spans an area of 1,791.2 km2 (692 sq mi) and has 20,168 inhabitants (10,370 men and 9,798 women).

As a commune, Los Lagos is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

[1][2] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Los Lagos is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Enrique Jaramillo (PDC) and Gastón Von Mühlenbrock (UDI) as part of the 54th electoral district, together with Panguipulli, Futrono, Lago Ranco, Río Bueno, La Unión and Paillaco.

The commune is represented in the Senate during the 2014–2022 period by Alfonso de Urresti (PS) and Ena von Baer (UDI) as part of the 16th senatorial constituency (Los Ríos Region).