Herefoss was a 148-square-kilometre (57 sq mi) area surrounding the Herefossfjorden (part of the river Tovdalselva).

The other main village was Søre Herefoss, located in the southern part of the municipality.

Herefoss Church was consecrated by Bishop Jacob von der Lippe in 1865.

On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Herefoss.

[6] The municipal council (herredsstyre) of Herefoss was made up of 13 representatives that were elected to four-year terms.