Lying to the east of Dakar city centre, at the 2013 Census it had a population of 1,170,791.

The department includes the villages of Yeumbeul, Thiaroye, Mbao, and Keur Massar Malika.

The city was founded in 1952 by the colonial government for former residents of Dakar who were relocated for new developments.

This original city is now known as "Old Pikine", while an informal community has grown up around it.

The Mbeubeusse Landfill, the Dakar region's sole waste facility, is situated in Pikine.