Mallabia is part of the comarca of Durangaldea and has a population of 1.135 inhabitants as of 2006 and according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute.

Its origin is linked with the old Tierra Llana (Spanish for "flat lands") of the ancient merindad of Durango.

Since 1635, Mallabia had voice and right to vote in the Juntas of Guerediaga, where it occupied the seat number three.

It limits at north with the municipalities of Markina-Xemein and Etxebarria, at south with Zaldibar at east with Eibar (province of Gipuzkoa) and Ermua and at west with Berriz.

The narrow-gauge regional railways Euskotren Trena does not have a station in the town, despite crossing near to it.