 Baines' "History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York" stated that Hunsley was formerly "a place of some consequence," where "the foundations of ancient buildings are sometimes dug up".Occupations at the time included two farmers, a corn factor (trader), a yeoman, and a gentlewoman.To the west of the settlement is the High Hunsley transmitter (), which is used by local radio stations BBC Radio Humberside, 96.9 Viking FM and Capital Yorkshire.