Tokushima Prefecture Katsuura has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall.

The village of Tanano (棚野村) was established within Katsuura District, Tokushima with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889.

Katsuura has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 10 members.

Katsuura, together the city of Komatsushima and town of Kamikatsu, contributes three members to the Tokushima Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tokushima 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.