There were 23 villages in Noarootsi Parish: Aulepa (Dirslätt), Dirhami (Derhamn), Einbi (Enby), Elbiku (Ölbäck), Hara (Harga), Hosby, Höbringi (Höbring), Kudani (Gutanäs), Osmussaare (Odensholm), Paslepa (Pasklep), Pürksi (Birkas), Riguldi (Rickul), Rooslepa (Roslep), Saare (Lyckholm), Spithami (Spithamn), Sutlepa (Sutlep), Suur-Nõmmküla (Klottorp), Tahu (Skåtanäs), Telise (Tällnäs), Tuksi (Bergsby), Vanaküla (Gambyn), Väike-Nõmmküla (Persåker), Österby.

Until the end of the ancient historic period, today's Noarootsi area was practically unpopulated.

Noarootsi peninsula was once a group of small islands, which joined the mainland in the middle of the 19th century.

The Swedish population was strengthened by influx of Swedes from Uusimaa in Finland, peaking in the beginning of the 16th century.

In the second half of the 16th century, during the Livonian war, the areas of Noarootsi were plundered by Russian army troops, and many sites, such as the church, were devastated.

In Noarootsi, the first known folk high school (first mentioned in 1650) was established by local Lutheran pastor Isaacus Mariaestadius Hasselblatt.

At the same time, a line of manor houses was built, which initiated limits on the coastal Swedes' rights.

The folks' communal self-government and permanent compulsory school attendance were established in Noarootsi in 1856.

For their preparation in the Paslepa manor house, a teachers' training college was established, which was in operation for 14 years.

During the Estonian Republic, the relationship between local residents and Swedes and Finns increased remarkably.

During the forced emigration and building up of kolkhozes (collective farms), many villages were ruined and the coastal areas became military zones.

Some Swedes have returned to Noarootsi after the demise of Soviet Union and bought or reclaimed old property, usually land, which they developed.