Skalbmierz has a long and rich history, the town belongs to the historic region of Lesser Poland.

On 20 February 1342, was granted a town charter (see Magdeburg rights) by King Casimir III the Great.

Skalbmierz's town charter was confirmed by King Władysław II Jagiełło in 1427 and Bishop of Kraków Jan Rzeszowski on 24 May 1483.

In 1578 King Stephen Bathory confirmed the right of Kraków curates to appoint Skalbmierz president canons of the Chapter.

To help revive the town, King John II Casimir Vasa confirmed old privileges and established four annual fairs in 1666.

On 29 April 1794, Russian general Fiodor Denisov during the retreat from Racławice robbed Skalbmierz and set it on fire.

In 1869, Russian administration revoked the town rights of Skalbmierz as punishment for the unsuccessful Polish January Uprising.

During the German invasion of Poland at the start of World War II, it was the place of fights on 6–7 September 1939.

On 14 January 1945, the Red Army entered Skalbmierz and German occupation ended with the town soon restored to Poland.