The "wick" may come from Old English wic, meaning an earlier Romano-British settlement specialised in farming; but the "Sal(w)" element is unclear.

Salwick is the home of the Springfields nuclear fuel manufacturing plant operated by Westinghouse Electric Company, which dominates the village.

In November 2021 a poultry farm near Salwick was the location for an outbreak of Bird Flu (Avian influenza H5N1).

[1][2] The Hand and Dagger is a popular country pub, dating from about 1800, next to bridge 26 on the Lancaster Canal.

[3] The unusual name derives from the devices shown on the crest of the local Clifton family.