Little villages Hokkala, Koskimäki-Huhtala, Kumpula, Noposenaho, Hokkasenaho, Nurmijoki, Oikari, Peuralinna, Pölkki, Saunakylä and Vehkaperä are living mostly from primary production (farming and forestry).

Due to its location on the crossroads of two main Finnish roads (Valtatie 13 and 16) the municipality has also a remarkable number of services and little companies compared to its size.

The first part of the name, "kyy", is Finnish word for adder (Vipera berus), a venomous snake.

[1] Because of this, the municipality has adopted the following slogan: Kyy York – pieni kylä, suuri sydän ("small village, big heart").

[2] The area of modern Kyyjärvi was originally hunting grounds for Tavastian people.

[7] Kannonkoski, Karstula, Kivijärvi and Kyyjärvi planned to merge into the Suomenselkä municipality [fi] from January 1, 2022.