A strong seasonal emigration supplemented the income from agriculture and animal husbandry of the residents.

The majority of the population (1990: 70%) is in the services sector, and half of all residences are second or vacation homes.

During the Middle Ages the landlords over the village included both the Bishop of Como and the Capitanei of Locarno.

The mayor (or console) was alternately appointed during five years by Intragna, then by one provided by Golini and Verdasio.

In 1531, the Swiss Confederation rejected an application from Intragna, Ascona, Onsernone and Centovalli to form a municipality that was independent of Locarno.

Likewise, the conflict-ridden attempts of Golinos to form an independent municipality failed in the 18th and 19th centuries.

[4] Originally, the religious center of the region was Golino with the Church of San Giorgio, which was built before 1297.

In 1765-75 the bell tower was added, and with a height of 65 meters (213 ft) it is the highest in the canton of Ticino.

Starting in the 16th century, the income from seasonal migration (especially chimney sweep in Lombardy and Piedmont) were added to the local economy.

Between 1631 and 1847 the people of Rasa (along with Ronco, Losone and Terre di Pedemonte) possessed the monopoly for loading operations at the Custom House of Livorno.

Intragna is the seat of the Regional Museum for the Centovalli and Terre di Pedemonte, which opened in 1989.

While the population in the higher settlements has declined sharply (Rasa: 200 inhabitants at the beginning of the 16th century, while only 11 in 1970), Intragna and Golino, due to their proximity to Locarno, have grown since 1970.

[4] During the Middle Ages, Palagnedra was the administrative and religious center in the 13th-century Centovalli valley community.

It was the mother church of the Centovalli valley and contains the best preserved late gothic cycle of frescoes by Antonio da Tradate.

Designed by a graphic artist rather than a herald, it is a decorative treatment of the letters C and V, but cannot be blazoned.

[9] The municipal website describes it as being of green and gold, with a capital C dominating the blue of the valley and water, bordered with white.

[11] It consists of the villages or frazioni of Bordei, Borgnone, Calezzo, Camedo, Corcapolo con Salmina, Costa sopra Borgnone, Costa sopra Intragna, Cremaso, Cresto, Golino, Intragna, Lionza, Monadello, Moneto, Palagnedra, Pila, Rasa, Verdasio con Bolle e Sassalto and Vosa.

In addition to Borgnone, Intragna and Palagnedra, it includes the settlements of Costa, Lionza, Golino, Verdasio, Pila, Vosa, Cremaso, Calezzo, Costa, Corcapolo, Rasa, Bordei, and Camedo (on the valley floor with a customs station and train station).

[13] The age distribution, as of 2009[update], in Centovalli is; 58 children or 5.1% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 88 teenagers or 7.7% are between 10 and 19.

[14] From the 2000 census[update], 96 or 67.1% were Roman Catholic, while 14 or 9.8% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

[14] From the 2000 census[update], 674 or 73.7% were Roman Catholic, while 106 or 11.6% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

[14] From the 2000 census[update], 70 or 76.1% were Roman Catholic, while 7 or 7.6% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

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

[18] The Parish Church of S. Michele and its Piazza are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The villages of Borgnone, Costa, Golino, Intragna, Lionza, Palagnedra, Rasa, Verdasio and Bordei are all listed as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

The rate of violations of immigration, visa and work permit laws was 2.5 per thousand residents.