Tokorozawa can be considered part of the greater Tokyo area; its proximity to the latter and lower housing costs make it a popular commuter town.

The area around Tokorozawa Station's west exit is built up as a shopping district with several department stores.

Tokorozawa has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

It was also an important trading center, being located at the intersection of roads connecting Edo with the towns of Hachioji, Chichibu, Kawagoe and Fuchu.

The town of Tokorozawa was created within Iruma District, Saitama with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.

Tokorozawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 34 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Saitama 8th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Several Seibu group companies, including its railway and bus divisions, are headquartered in the vicinity of Tokorozawa Station.

A two-day festival featuring music, cultural and sports exhibitions, community group activities and food booths takes place in late October in Kokukoen Park on the grounds of the former airfield.