In 893, Hetzerath had its first documentary mention as Salmana ("Homestead of the Salm").

The municipal election held on 7 June 2009 yielded the following results:[3] The municipality's arms might be described thus: Argent two bars in chief and as many in base azure surmounted by a cross gules, itself surmounted by a fleur-de-lis of the first.

Landesstraße (State Road) 141 runs through the municipality's full length.

A further economic factor is the Industriepark Region Trier (IRT) between Föhren and Hetzerath.

Here, roughly 80 businesses are located, furnishing many jobs for the region, and also for Hetzerath.