The surrounding communes are Môlay, Poilly-sur-Serein and Aigremont. Sainte-Vertu is situated 27 km (17 mi) to the south-east of Auxerre which is the nearest large town.
Recorded population peaked at 544 in 1821, but has fallen back steadily subsequently, the decline accelerating with the mechanisation of agriculture in the twentieth century. By 2005 the recorded population stood at just 104.