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Situated to the south west of the BMA, Lisburn City Council area has the largest land area of the 6 Districts in the Metropolitan Area, with the second largest population next to Belfast.  The Council was awarded City status in May 2002, and the City of Lisburn provides an important focus for the District.  Although there is a significant rural component, over 65% of the population live either in Lisburn City, or in the urban portion of the District to the north east which forms part of the Belfast urban area, and includes areas such as Dunmurry and Derriaghy.  This portion of the District incorporates part of the Contiguous Development Zone (CDZ)[1] hereafter known as Metropolitan Lisburn.  Lisburn abuts the administrative districts of Belfast and Castlereagh in the BMA, and the surrounding Districts of Antrim, Banbridge, Craigavon and Down.

Hillsborough and Moira are the two main towns situated in the rural area of Lisburn District, and there are also a significant number of villages and small settlements distributed throughout the countryside.

In 2001 the population of the District was 108,694, and in 2004 it was estimated to be over 114,000. Lisburn City Council area has experienced significant population growth during the past 30 years, with an increase of over 50% between 1971 and 2001.  This growth has been largely due to the suburban expansion that has affected many of the outer areas of the BMA.  In 2001 there were 47,400 people employed in the City Council area, with 77% employed within the service sector, 13% in manufacturing and 7% in construction.  The unemployment rate has fallen from 7.4% in 1991 to 6.8% in 2001.

Lisburn City Council area contains a diversity of landscapes, with the steep slopes of the Antrim Plateau dominating the landscape setting to the north east of the District, and descending gradually towards the shores of Lough Neagh to the west and to the River Lagan valley to the south.  To the east of Lisburn the River Lagan flows within a relatively narrow valley corridor which forms part of the Lagan Valley Regional Park and Lagan Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Towards the south east of the District the steep escarpment slopes of the Castlereagh Hills surround Belfast.

There are a number of important areas of nature conservation within Lisburn City Council area.  Part of the Lough Neagh shoreline lies to the north west and this is recognised internationally as a Ramsar Site, a Special Protection Area (SPA) and an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).  There are several other ASSIs distributed throughout the District, a National Nature Reserve at Belshaw’s Quarry in the Belfast Hills, and Local Nature Reserves at Edenderry, Portmore Lough and Slievenacloy. There are also four Areas of High Scenic Value that affect Lisburn, including Belfast Basalt Escarpment, Castlereagh Slopes, Magheraknock Loughs to the south east of Lisburn and Portmore Lough to the east of Lough Neagh.

Despite the easy commuting distance to Belfast, Lisburn has a strong and independent identity within the BMA, and a green wedge between Lisburn and Dunmurry at Mosside ensures that Lisburn retains its individual character and that coalescence with Belfast is prevented.

Lisburn has a strong growth dynamic, enhanced by its locational advantages, and the rapid growth experienced in the District, particularly in the past 25 years has meant that it is subject to continuous pressure for housing and industrial development.