In the Middle Ages the city of Como, controlled the port of Melano.

During their wars against Milan in the early 12th Century, the port was of strategic importance.

In the Late Middle Ages there was a wall between Melano and Capolago (first mentioned in 1449) that led down to the lake from Monte Generoso.

In 1798, Melano belonged to the short-lived Republic of Riva San Vitale.

The Parish Church of St. Andrew was built in the 15th Century, totally rebuilt in 1846-50 and restored in 1992–94.

In 1634-37 the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Castelletto was built on a previous, 14th Century building.

[3] Agriculture, livestock, forestry and seasonal migrations have long been the main sources of income.

In 1840 Giovanni Battista Fogliardi opened one of the first silk mills in Ticino in Melano.

Over the same time period, the amount of recreational space in the municipality increased by 3 ha (7.4 acres) and is now about 1.75% of the total area.

[9] The age distribution, as of 2009[update], in Melano is; 141 children or 10.9% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 121 teenagers or 9.3% are between 10 and 19.

[10] The historical population is given in the following chart:[3][15] The Della Madonna Del Castelletto Church is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The entire village of Melano is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

In the federal election, a total of 408 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 48.6%.

[17] In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the FDP which received 33.47% of the vote.

[18] In the 2007[update] Gran Consiglio election, there were a total of 780 registered voters in Melano, of which 432 or 55.4% voted.

[10] From the 2000 census[update], 905 or 82.1% were Roman Catholic, while 55 or 5.0% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

In the lower secondary school system, students either attend a two-year middle school followed by a two-year pre-apprenticeship or they attend a four-year program to prepare for higher education.

The professional program lasts three years and prepares a student for a job in engineering, nursing, computer science, business, tourism and similar fields.

[20] Melano is served by the Maroggia-Melano station, situated on the border with the adjoining municipality of Maroggia, which is on the Gotthard railway.