In response, Duke Philip I held a court session, after which the leaders of the riots were sentenced, town property was confiscated and municipal privileges were revoked.

[5] The Great Depression caused a collapse of numerous local business, which led to mass unemployment and radicalisation of the people, and in 1933 the Nazi Party gained a majority in Osterode.

(local election on 11 September 2016) Jens Augat (SPD) has been Bürgermeister (mayor) of Osterode since 1 November 2019.

The Museum im Ritterhaus displays documents from Osterode's history from the Middle Ages to the recent past, as well as occasional temporary exhibitions.

[4] Osterode is the starting point of the 100 km long Harzer Hexenstieg, a hiking trail to Thale.

The B 243 federal route, built as a divided highway, is the main western link between the northern and southern Harz area.

In November 2004 the town gained two new stations at a cost of about 1 million Euro, replacing two previous halts and providing a more central access to public transport.