The city of Lahr, which has the status of a district town or Große Kreisstadt, has a population of approximately 43,000. In district reforms of January 1st 1972, the following seven formerly distinct settlements were merged into Lahr.

Reichenbach and Kuhbach are located to the east of the city at the beginning of the Schutter valley.

Sulz the largest borough with around 3,500 inhabitants is situated to the south..

To the west of the city in the Rhine valley can be found Mietersheim, Langenwinkel, Kippenheimweiler and the smallest borough Hugsweier.

A system of self-government for boroughs has been in place since 1972. Each borough has a council, a president and a borough administration. Councilors are directly elected by residents every five years and are consulted on matters of importance to the borough.