The municipality (originally the parish) is named Hølonda (Old Norse: Høylandir).

[10] On 23 January 1931, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Hølonda.

At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Melhus prestegjeld and the Gauldal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

[8] The municipality was located in the Gauldalen valley, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of the city of Trondheim.

The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Hølonda was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four year terms.

The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.