Štip is the largest urban agglomeration in the eastern part of North Macedonia, serving as the economic, industrial, entertainment and educational focal point for the surrounding municipalities.

As of the 2002 census, the Štip municipality alone had a population of about 47,796.

Štip is the largest textile production center in the country; Center of the fashion industry in North Macedonia, as well as the location of the sole public university in eastern North Macedonia, Goce Delčev University of Štip.

Štip boasts the largest festival of pop music in North Macedonia, called MakFest. It has been held every November in the cultural center, "Aco Šopov", for over two decades.

Another large cultural event in Štip is the "Štip Summer of Culture" (Macedonian: Штипско Културно Лето), which is a monthlong festival held from 1 July to 1 August, since 1987. The first known opera performance in North Macedonia was staged in Štip in 1925.