[2] Before the arrival of the Spanish, the area was populated as evidenced by archeological sites but no specific information is known of the inhabitants nor the encomienda system.

[2] In 1931-1948 the anthropologists Robert and Margaret Park Redfield and Alfonso Villa Rojas [es] stayed in the county seat of Chankom for extended periods (Villas taught there) and published Chan Kom, a Maya Village,[4] A Village that Chose Progress, Chan Kom Revisited,[5] and The Folk Culture of Yucatan.

The town council has four councilpersons, who serve as Secretary and councilors of policing, public services and ecology.

There are 17 populated places in the municipality including Chuntabil, Maykab, Muchucuxca, Nictehá, Sacpasil, San Isidro, San Juan, Santa María Koochilá, Santa Rosa, Ticimul, Tomku, Tzukmuc, Xanla, Xbohon, Xcalakdzonot, X-Cocail, Xhuaymil, Xkatún, Xkopeteil, X-Pamba, Xtamech, Xtohil, Yacbchem, and Yochotún.

[2][9] The significant populations are shown below: Every year from the 9 to 13 November the town holds a celebration for its patron saint, San Diego.