Located at the south of the Great Santiago conurbation (of which it is part), it houses 568,106 inhabitants (city proper, 2017 census), making it the most populous commune in Chile.

According to regional law, the authorities of this new sector would be able to increase in proportion to the number of inhabitants in the area, as well as adding three additional mayors the bureaucratic structure.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Puente Alto spans an area of 88.2 km2 (34 sq mi) and has 492,915 inhabitants (240,862 men and 252,053 women).

As a commune, Puente Alto is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde (mayor) who is directly elected every four years.

[1] The communal council has the following members:[5] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Puente Alto is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Álvaro Carter (UDI), Ximena Ossandón (RN), Leopoldo Pérez (RN), Amaro Labra (PC), Camila Vallejos (PC), Pamela Jiles (PH) and Miguel Crispi (RD) as part of the 12th electoral district, (together with La Florida, Pirque, San José de Maipo and La Pintana).

Puente Alto's city stadium is located in #450 Nemesio Vicuña Street, it has a soccer playing field and an athletics track.

Visitors have the opportunity to practice kayaking, observe different farm animals, picnic, play sports, and enjoy other activities in the green areas without paying an entrance fee.