[2] Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Itano has remained relatively stable for the past 60 years.

The village of Itanishi (板西村) was established within Itano District, Tokushima with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889.

Itanishi merged with neighboring villages of Matsusaka and Sakae on February 11, 1911 and was renamed Itano.

Itano has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 13 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tokushima 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.