Lüdenscheid (German pronunciation: [ˈly:dn̩ʃaɪt]) is a city in the Märkischer Kreis district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

While first settlement in the Lüdenscheid area is confirmed for the 9th century, the first mention of the place as a village was made in 1067 and as a city in 1268.

The economic importance came to the fore in the Middle Ages, when the city became a centre for metal ore mining in the surrounding area, through the ("osemund"/osmond iron).

The ore was processed by the hammers and wire drawers of Lüdenscheid, serviced by water power in the surrounding valleys.

Production of parts of the auto industry and of fittings for electrical installations play an important role as well as continuous casting of aluminium profiles.

"Lüdenscheid-Nord" is a demeaning and satirical name, most commonly used by the fans of FC Schalke 04 to mock the football club Borussia Dortmund.