Before the establishment of Munich around 1158, an important crossing existed over the river Isar, the Föhringer Brücke.

One of the largest independent film production companies in Germany, the Neue Deutsche Filmgesellschaft, has their head offices here.

Besides media enterprises, major insurance companies are situated east of the rapid-transit railway line S8 in the trade area of Unterföhring.

Owing to the many corporate enterprises, the municipality is free from debt and even has accumulated a large reserve.

After its promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga in 2017 it became the first club in German rugby history to ever come from a village and play in Rugby-Bundesliga.