The borough also contains the towns of Faversham, Queenborough and Sheerness, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas.

Some southern parts of the borough lie within the Kent Downs, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Under proposed reorganisation in either April 2027 or 2028 the borough will face abolition and will join with one or more adjoining councils to form a new Unitary Authority.

[3] The district was awarded borough status on 20 January 1978, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.

[20] Swale is a mainly rural borough, containing a high proportion of the UK's apple, pear, cherry and plum orchards (the North Kent Fruit Belt[21]), as well as many of its remaining hop gardens.

The Roman Watling Street passed through the area, as witness the straightness of the A2 main road, now by-passed by the M2 motorway.

After a successful first year, the council expanded the Swale Car Club offering to the town of Sittingbourne.

The chairmen were: From the grant of borough status in January 1978 onwards the chairman of the council has taken the title of mayor.