The ward is in the eastern and northeastern part of the city near the M55 motorway moving out towards Sherwood and Grimsargh.

[1] Unlike many other districts of Preston, the ward of Preston Rural East is parished, in that it has within it parish councils with their own structure and elected councillors.

The parishes within Preston Rural East are Grimsargh, Haighton, and Broughton-in-Amounderness.

At the most recent census in 2001, the electoral ward of Preston Rural East had a population of 3,814.

[2] The ward forms, in conjunction with its neighbour Preston Rural North, the Lancashire County Council electoral division of Preston Rural.