Four shops were present in the area, with two being run by Franjo Jakovac, one by Nikola Gasic, and one by Savan Ilibasic, who was a Serbian from Oraovica and left before the troubles. The merchants sold various items such as salt, sugar, oil, kerosene, flour, fabric, threads, and cotton for weaving. Both Jakovac and Gašić had large cauldrons, or stills, for cooking brandy (rakija).

In the municipality, Matija Feketic served as the Mayor from 1939 through 1943. The post office was in a room in the home of the Postman, Mato Slovic, situated on the Fort Road just below the tower. Pavle Kristic was the Barber, Gaspar Jukic was the Policeman, and Marko Puskaric and Ivo Ikic were both Tailors. Mato Feketic, besides being the Mayor, was also a builder. There were several Blacksmiths, including Ivan Puskaric, the Master Blacksmith, and Jure Puskaric, August Marakovic, Mato Zorbas, Mato (Macan) Babic, Mijo Krivosic, and Petar Krivosic listed as Blacksmiths and Wheelwrights.

As for Cobblers, Antun Feketic was a master cobbler, Juraj Babic specialized in making traditional shoes (Opancarski Majstor), and other cobblers included Ivan Karlovic, Jandro (Andrija) Dembic, and Stevo Ikic. The Baker was Josip Zorbas. In the forestry sector, there was Franjo Dembic as the Forestry Ranger, and Ivo Krivosic and Josa Labudic were Forestry Workers. Musical band members were Jandro Babic, Ivica Zorbas, Ivica Juric, Pero Marakovic, and Mato Dembic. Marija Babic (nee Kristic) was a skilled Seamstress. Furriers included Jerko Labudic, Antun Mladenovic, and Karlo Mladenovic. Naco Bjelobrk, who worked for the Merchant Gasic, was listed as a Carpenter, Wheelwright, and Cooper. Pavao Puskaric, Ana Dembic's husband, stated his occupation as Financial Supervisor, but the entity he worked for remains unknown. Lastly, a Pharmacist named Antun Kindl is mentioned to have married Justina Ikic and lived in house #42, but it is uncertain if he had a shop front. There were farms and orchards in Zrin. These included plum orchards, chestnut and walnut trees, wheat, corn, potatoes, beans, and other vegetables.

The hill opposite The Holy Cross Church, facing roughly west, was called Paljevine. Behind the church, looking roughly southeast, was Medici Hill. The very steep hill at the end of the Fort Road in the east was known as Ikic Hill.

The town of Zrin was divided into different sections. The upper (northern) part was called Gornjani, the middle was known as Dolina, and the lower (southern) part was referred to as Donjani. The road that is currently known as The Fort Road, leading from the Cross at the Crossroads towards the Zrinski Fortress, was originally called Orašče (Walnuts). It received this name because after passing the last houses along the road, there were plenty of Walnut trees.

On the left side of the road, opposite the Španovac spring, stood the house of Laza Slovic, and above it was the house of Mate Slovic, who worked as the postman. Above the last houses, there were gardens, orchards, and vineyards, adding to the agricultural landscape of the town. Some of those interviewed about their memories of Zrin have explained that the houses in Zrin were close enough together that a cat could jump from roof to roof. It is said that this was because land for farming was more important than having a yard around the house.

Many lived in co-operatives, so two, three, or sometimes four houses would be built on the same block of land and have the same house number. The houses in Zrin were built of oak planks, two inches thick. The outside and inside were "plastered" with a mixture of mud and chaff. Later, they were whitewashed with lime. The lower part was stone (cellar-storeroom), and the roof was often covered with tiles.

The roads were “macadam,” compacted coarse dirt with small stones. There was no electricity. The shopkeeper Jakovac was the only one with a battery-powered radio. There were two schools, known as the upper and lower schools. Orthodox children from neighbouring villages also attended these schools, and religious education was taught as part of the curriculum. The 'upper' school had only one classroom, with the other rooms serving as the teachers' apartment and the teacher's garden, which the schoolgirls would take care of. The 'lower,' newer school was situated on the left side of the road leading to Zrinska Draga. The schools were close together, with the 'upper' school located near the intersection on the main road, a little to the north.

The duration of schooling was four years. They had writing tablets with a place for a cloth and a sponge on the board. Before the start of class, the children would stretch their hands on the bench so that the teacher could see if they were clean and if their nails were trimmed. Then, they would cross themselves and say the 'Our Father.' During this time, the children of the Serbian faith would sit with folded hands.

On the classroom wall, there was a picture of Alexander I of Yugoslavia and a crucifix. Inkstands were placed on the benches, and the children used pens for writing. The compositions (notebooks) were kept at the school, and homework was written on the boards. Sometimes, what was written on the boards would accidentally get erased while being carried in the canvas bags.