[3] During the second regular session of the first legislative assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the regional legislature created Northern Kabuntalan out of 11 barangays of Kabuntalan, by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No.

The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.

The ARMM law creating the municipality provides that its administrative center shall be established in barangay Tumaguinting.

Northern Kabuntalan is politically subdivided into 11 barangays.

Poverty Incidence of Northern Kabuntalan Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16]