[3] Gosen has a humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

[4] Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Gosen has declined steadily over the past 40 years.

Gosen has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 20 members.

[6] The economy of Gosen is primarily agricultural, with production of cut flowers, peonies, satoimo and kiwi fruit as important crops.

There are two public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education in the city.