In the first quarter of the 18th century, the lands of the Poltava Regiment between the Kolomak and Orchyk rivers were given to the general of the Russian army Johann Bernhard Weissbach.

After Weisbach's death in 1735, Karlivka was gifted to Field marshal Minikh, who named the settlement Minikhpol.

A number of industrial enterprises operates in the city, including Karlivka Machine-Building Plant [ru], a mechanical factory, an alcohol plant, a furniture factory, a bakery, oil and gas deep drilling management expedition, a number of farms, ATP-15340 motor transport enterprise, and 4 repair and construction companies.

[7] In April 2019, the construction of a cooperative factory of the Association of Milk Producers began, with 10 participants being the founders, and it is planned to be put into operation at the end of 2021.

The first stage of the plant will allow processing approximately 500 tons of extra-class milk daily.