It lies in the valley of the river Duna, 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the county capital, Nyíregyháza.

Kazincbarcika was created during the Socialist industrialization, when several villages were unified with the aim of creating an industrial city to provide workers for the newly built Borsodi Vegyi Kombinát (a predecessor of today's BorsodChem).

Although a mine was opened nearby, agriculture remained the villagers' main occupation until the 1920s, when a large power plant was built.

BorsodChem, founded in 1949, took an active role in developing the town, and its job opportunities drew people from all over the country.

The district of Berente separated from the city and became an independent village, mainly due to the fact that Borsodchem was situated in this part of the town, but the residents felt more of its disadvantages than its advantages.