[1] During the 19th and 20th centuries the village served as a mining town for the coal miners of the Garw Valley section of the South Wales coalfield.

Built in 1893, the Blaengarw Workmen's Hall is a testament to this history and is still used today as a community and entertainment centre.

[2] The town was a flashpoint of public disorder during the UK miners' strike (1984–1985).

Activities organised by the centre include coffee mornings, arts classes, information technology classes, a youth club, dance and drama workshops, sugar craft and after-school clubs.

[6] The 2001 comedy Very Annie Mary, starring Rachel Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce and Ioan Gruffudd was filmed in the village,[7] as was the 2019 Channel 4 miniseries The Accident.