The earliest trace of human habitation near Oftringen is scattered mesolithic era finds.

A Roman era farm at the intersection of two roads and scattered Alamanni settlements have also been found.

[3] The village was under the Herschaft of the Counts of Frohburg from the Middle Ages until 1299, when they came under Habsburg authority.

The center of the settlement shifted to around the intersection of the Bern-Zurich and Basel-Lucerne roads as various businesses sprang up to take advantage of the increased traffic.

Industrialization began in 1825 with the establishment of a paper mill, which was followed by textile plants along the river.

[4] The municipality is located in the Zofingen district, on the eastern side of the lower Wigger river valley.

It consists of the village of Oftringen and several hamlets and individual houses scattered throughout side valleys.

The ruins of Alt-Wartburg castle are located in the northernmost part of the municipality.

The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Azure three Crescents Argent.

[8] The age distribution, as of 2008[update], in Oftringen is; 1,146 children or 9.7% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 1,293 teenagers or 11.0% are between 10 and 19.

[10] About 36.3% of the total households were owner occupied, or in other words did not pay rent (though they may have a mortgage or a rent-to-own agreement).

[8] In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the SVP which received 37.49% of the vote.

[14] The historical population is given in the following table:[3] The ruins of Alt-Wartburg castle are listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

[8] From the 2000 census[update], 2,984 or 29.0% were Roman Catholic, while 4,665 or 45.3% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.