Hausa is used as a secondary and trade language, since the Hausa exert much influence over the peoples of the region. The health and educational facilities of the Gurenne are better than average for the area. Besides primary and middle schools in the larger villages, there are also vocational schools and a nursing college nearby. The Gurenne are mostly farmers who grow crops such as millet, guinea corn, beans, and rice. During the rainy season, both men and women supplement the crops by fishing in the streams and rivers.
Younger women gather shea nuts for their oil and collect other items from the forest.
The older women cut elephant grass and use it to make mats and baskets. Other crafts include making rope, crafting bows and arrows, working with leather, and producing pottery. Nearly every village has a small market in which items such things as matches, soap, salt, livestock, fish, fruit, and bows and arrows are available. In the larger markets, merchants come from outside the area, bringing bread, sugar, medicines, and second-hand clothing. Gurenne marriages today are seldom arranged.