On April 1, 1951Yanagawa annexed the neighboring villages of Higashimiyaga, Nishinomiyaga, Jonai, Okibata, and Ryokai and changed the kanji of its name to "柳川町".

Yanagawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 19 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Fukuoka 7th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Yanagawa has a mixed economy, with agriculture and commercial fishing, as well as manufacturing centering on semiconductors and woodworking.

Yanagawa is the birthplace of Kitahara Hakushu, a Meiji era poet and writer of children's songs.

An annual three-day festival is held every November in Yanagawa complete with poetry readings, fireworks, music, and a great number of evening boat rides.

During this time, a number of local citizens actually open up their homes to the public, allowing people to come and see their elaborate decorations and displays.