It is assumed that Slavic and German settlements were established at the Schlachtensee and Krumme Lanke lakes after 1200 at the latest.

The settlement was located halfway between the two places, which gave the village an economic boost through its function as a relay station.

[5] Steglitz-Zehlendorf has the highest number of Abitur (secondary education degree) graduates in Berlin.

The borough also has the highest median household income and the lowest unemployment rate in Berlin.

With 15% of Steglitz-Zehlendorf households making more than 200% of the German national median income, it is the wealthiest Berlin borough.

In 2020 Steglitz-Zehlendorf dissociated itself from its twin town of Kazimierz Dolny in Poland because the latter declared itself an LGBT free zone.