In the period 1941 - 2003 it was part of municipality Ravenstein, a small city near the river Maas.

Herpen was a central hub, but with the coming of river trade in a later stage, the city of Ravenstein became due to its location at the Maas the main trading hub.

Each year, with the Dutch carnival, a lot of people flock to Herpen to see its parade.

The people from Herpen are sometimes referred to as "Bonne", meaning "beans".

The small community "Koolwijk" is (unofficially) considered as a part of Herpen.