The European Route E39/E136 highway runs through the municipality, connecting the towns of Ålesund and Molde.

On 1 June 1955, the Søvik and Ramstaddalen areas of Ørskog (south of the Storfjorden) were administratively transferred to Sykkylven Municipality.

The first element is the plural genitive case of eyrr which means "gravel shoal near the mouth of a river".

The official blazon is "Ermine, a pale Or" (Norwegian: På hermelin grunn ein gull pæl).

The charge is a pale with a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used.

In the 17th century, the municipality exported many tall trees to the Dutch Republic, where they were used for shipbuilding.

Most of the population lived along the shore or in the small valleys that stretch inland from the fjord.

The slide generated a megatsunami 100 metres (328 ft) in height that struck Stranda, and damaging waves of lesser size traveled as far as Ørskog.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Ørskog is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms.