Other villages in Surnadal include Glærem, Mo, Stangvik, Surnadalsøra, Sylte, Todalsøra, and Åsskard.

The local economy is based on agriculture, forestry, and industrial production, in addition to services.

In 1858, the eastern district (population: 2,684) was separated from Surnadal to form the new Rindal Municipality.

On 1 January 1886, the Møklegjerdet farm (population: 29), just west of the village of Glærem, was transferred from Stangvik to Surnadal.

The official blazon is "Vert, two bends engrailed above and invected below argent" (Norwegian: På grøn grunn ein skråstilt sølv tvillingstreng laga med taggesnitt).

This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is two bends that have wavy edges.

The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

There are also many smaller side valleys including Stor-Bæverdalen, Settemsdalen, Øvstbødalen, Todalen, and Vinddøldalen.

The river Surna runs through the valley from the east to the west, and forms a large delta where it enters the fjord near Surnadalsøra and Skei.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Surnadal is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

The mayors (Nynorsk: ordførar) of Surnadal (incomplete list):[35] Transportation services include ferries to the southwest and the northwest, which lead to the coastal areas of Møre og Romsdal, and a highway to the city of Trondheim to the east.