The ward is the largest by area in the city, containing the smaller and smallest villages from the northern areas of Preston, from Woodplumpton bordering the M55 motorway junction at Broughton, to Beacon Fell at the border of the borough of Wyre.

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

The parishes within Preston Rural North are Woodplumpton, Barton, Whittingham, and Goosnargh.

[2] Preston Rural North contains the former Whittingham Hospital, now ear-marked for renewal as a residential community.

The ward forms, in conjunction with its neighbour Preston Rural East, the Preston Rural electoral division of Lancashire County Council.