Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Hidaka has remained fairly steady over the past century.

The villages of Shiga, Hizaki, Higashi-Uchihara and Nishi-Uchihara were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.

Hidaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 12 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Plans by Kansai Electric to construct a nuclear power plant in Hidaka were cancelled due to vehement local opposition.