It has an area of 125 square kilometres (48 sq mi), and a population of 580,829 (2010 census [INDEC]),[1] making it the third-most populous partido in the Gran Buenos Aires.

The city also stands out in many other sports, including field hockey, basketball and rugby, among others.

In 1976 a papal bull created the Diócesis de Quilmes.

The first minister was Padre Obispo Jorge Novak, famous for his defense of Human Rights during the Proceso de Reorganización Nacional.

The first Rivers of Life Church ("Ríos de Vida" in Spanish) was established in Quilmes in 1967.