The area of Lumaco and Purén is rich in Mapuche and early Spanish archaeological sites.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Lumaco spans an area of 1,119 km2 (432 sq mi) and has 11,405 inhabitants (6,074 men and 5,331 women).

[2] As a commune, Lumaco is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

[1] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Lumaco is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Gonzalo Arenas (UDI) and Mario Venegas (PDC) as part of the 48th electoral district, together with Angol, Renaico, Collipulli, Ercilla, Los Sauces, Purén and Traiguén.

The commune is represented in the Senate by Alberto Espina Otero (RN) and Jaime Quintana Leal (PPD) as part of the 14th senatorial constituency (Araucanía-North).