Some people state that Groot Corlaer is a population centre on its own, but it is officially part of Nijkerk.

Nijkerk was strategically located between the Duchy of Guelders (Dutch: Hertogdom Gelre) and the Bishopric of Utrecht.

Because of this strategic location Nijkerk regularly was the scene of war, and in 1412 the village was completely destroyed.

It is situated on the (former) shore of the IJsselmeer, which allows for transportation of goods via ships, and in the proximity of two major motorways, the E30 (A1) and E232 (A28).

This allowed local industries to grow, and also encouraged people who work in the nearby Randstad to move to the more rural and peaceful town of Nijkerk.