The commune of Ranst, population 18,000, is a suburb of
Antwerp, located a few kilometers to the east of the city limits. The E34 roadway from the northeast and E313 from the southeast join together in Ranst, becoming a single route into Antwerp. The Nete River traces Ranst's southern border, and the
Albert Canal flows through from east to West.
Broechem, Emblem, Emblehem, and Oelegem are boroughs within the municipal district of Ranst.