The town's setting is dominated by heavily wooded ridges and valleys formed by the Ruhr and three of its tributaries.

A notable feature situated within the town's limits are the Bruchhauser Steine, four large porphyry rocks located on a mountain near the village of Bruchhausen.

The town council is currently headed by mayor Wolfgang Fischer (CDU), re-elected in 2020.

The composition of the town council is, since 2020: Traditionally dominated by agriculture (especially dairy farming) and small scale wood and metal craft, the town's economical base today relies on the tertiary sector, especially tourism.

While the town does not have a Gymnasium (higher education school), it maintains a vocational college.