Steenwijk received city rights in 1327.

In the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) it was conquered by the Spaniards in 1581, but regained by the Dutch in 1592.

Steenwijk was a separate municipality until 2001, when it merged with Brederwiede and IJsselham.

The new municipality was first named "Steenwijk", but was renamed in 2003 to "Steenwijkerland".

[3] Steenwijk railway station is located on the Arnhem–Leeuwarden railway, with train services operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen.