The area is now part of Orkland Municipality in the traditional district of Orkdalen.

Orkanger Municipality encompassed the 6.64-square-kilometre (2.56 sq mi) urban area and some of the surrounding countryside.

The first element is Ork, which stems from the lake Orkelsjøen from which the river Orkla runs.

[8] The municipality was located in the Orkdalen valley where the river Orkla empties into the Orkdalsfjorden.

The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Orkanger was made up of representatives that were elected to four year terms.

The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.