Cheshire West and Chester Council was created in 2009 following a review of local government. The Local Authority covers approximately 350 square miles and is the fourth largest unitary authority in the North West. The Borough includes the historic city of Chester and the industrial and market towns of Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Helsby, Malpas, Neston, Northwich and Winsford; as well as a patchwork of rural villages. Around 340,500 people live in Cheshire West and about a third live in rural areas.

Cheshire West has a population of 334,000, of which 26.9% are aged 60 or over. 

Cheshire West achieved Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities status in May 2018. 

Age-friendly Cheshire West is led by Cheshire West and Chester Council.