In the 19th century, the Irbit Fair was an important event for the trade in Siberian fur and Chinese tea.

Irbit bakery plant manufactures different types of breads and batons, cakes, croutons, toasts.

Mineral resources include diatomaceous earth and glass-making sand deposits.

The town is crossed by the long distance railway Yekaterinburg–Tavda–Ustye-Akha and by road traffic routes, directed to Kamyshlov, Artyomovsk, Turinsk, and Tyumen.

The Irbit State Museum of Fine Art contains some important works including etchings by famous European artists.

In its collection there are engravings by Italian, Dutch, Flemish, German, French, English, Spanish, Swiss, Austrian, Polish, Bulgarian, Belgian, and North American artists.

The collection includes works from Albrecht Dürer to Francisco Goya.

Affiliates of the Ural State Technical University and the Institute of Commerce and Law provide higher education.