Salzkotten is situated at the border between the flat park landscape of the Münsterland in the north, the Soest Börde in the west and the dry rocky mountains with many forests in the south.

The economy of Salzkotten today focusses upon metal mining and refinery, machine manufacture, electronics, food production and services.

1910, Gilbert & Barker designed and manufactured their first petroleum pump the T-1, used push-pull motion to draw gasoline from an underground tank for fueling automobiles.

Since World War II, the CDU is the biggest party in the town council (German: Stadtrat).

Since the 2020 local election, there are 5 groups in the town council (38 seats):[4] The Mayor of Salzkotten is Ulrich Berger (CDU).