Also located in the city is the main campus of the Central Philippines State University (CPSU).

They derived the name Kabankalan from the word "bangkal" (Nauclea orientalis), a tree that is abundant in the place.

The settlers established the Barangay form of government, with which every group has its own leader, called the Capitan.

In 1830, the three Capitanes- Polito Moreno, Vicente Rojas and Mariano Vingal-petitioned the government to transfer their barangay located at the Hilabangan River towards the area of Orong and established a town.

They elected a migrant from Tigbauan, Iloilo-Leocadio Tayum y Gregorio- their new head, who served for one year.

The tribal suicide resulted in the deaths 300 of Manyabog's men, while seven died on the opposite side.

In mid-1907, a group of rebels called "Pulahanes" led by Papa Isio, raided the town and burned down all the houses.

However, the people of Kabankalan quickly recovered and rebuilt the town from the destruction caused by the dissidents.

During the Second World War, Kabankalan was made a garrison town by Japanese Imperial Forces.

During this time, a recognized guerrilla unit and the local troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were formed to oppose the foreign aggression and many people fled to the mountains to avoid Japanese military abuse.

When the Americans returned to the island to aid Filipino soldiers under the Commonwealth Army and Constabulary, and the recognized guerrillas, they helped the people be freed from Japanese occupation.

With the growth of the sugar industry, banks and other financial institutions and commercial establishments put up branches and offices in Kabankalan.

The town of Kabankalan was declared by then President Fidel V. Ramos as a chartered city on August 2, 1997, under Republic Act No.

Kabankalan occupies the central portion of the Southern Negros Island and its geographically located at 10° north and 122° east.