Arogno has been inhabited since late antiquity, because of its strategic location along the transit route between Seprio and Isola Comacina.

During the Langobardian era, Arogno expanded into a major fortified garrison.

In 859 the monastery of S. Ambrogio in Milan was listed as the owner of property in Arogno.

In 1581 it broke from the Mother Church of Riva San Vitale to form a parish.

East of the village is the romanesque Chapel of S. Michael, which was rebuilt in the Baroque style.

The local economy depended on agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as revenue from successful emigrants (mostly working in construction).

Today, much of the population works in the services sector or commutes to neighboring cities.

[3] Arogno is located on a high plateau in the Val Mara, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the Italian border near the enclave of Campione.

Arogno has an area, as of 1997[update], of 8.5 square kilometers (3.3 sq mi).

[4] The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Or a he-goat's head caboshed sable and in chief a mullet of five gules.

[7] The age distribution, as of 2009[update], in Arogno is; 106 children or 10.7% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 125 teenagers or 12.6% are between 10 and 19.

[8] The historical population is given in the following table:[3] The Parish Church of S. Stefano is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The entire village of Arogno is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

[13] Arogno is the perfect starting place for hiking trips on Monte Generoso.

[14] In the 2007[update] Ticino Gran Consiglio election, there were a total of 661 registered voters in Arogno, of which 422 or 63.8% voted.

[17] From the 2000 census[update], 724 or 74.7% were Roman Catholic, while 88 or 9.1% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

In the lower secondary school system, students either attend a two-year middle school followed by a two-year pre-apprenticeship or they attend a four-year program to prepare for higher education.

The professional program lasts three years and prepares a student for a job in engineering, nursing, computer science, business, tourism and similar fields.