In 1848, there was a massive influx of Maya and Mestizos from Mexico, fleeing the Caste War of Yucatán (1847–1901).

Cuello is in fact the oldest Mayan settlement in Belize, dating back to around 2000 BC.

[4] In the nineteenth century, Orange Walk was a small township located mostly on the western banks of the New River, consisting mainly of thatched and wooden dwellings.

In 1963 a sugar mill was started that brought another influx of migrant workers from other districts and surrounding countries, looking for work and land.

One such thing that they brought was sugar cane, which in the years to come became the basis of one of Belize's leading industries.

Today, this industry continues to thrive in the region, and Orange Walk Town is nicknamed "Sugar City".

The region is highly populated by Mestizo, Yucatec Maya, Kriols, Mennonites, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indians, and other people from Central America.

[10] As a whole, Orange Walk is the least ethnically diverse city in Belize, with a mainly Hispanic population.

According to some official town council sources, Orange Walk is becoming more congested and densely populated, and is moving toward apartment flats as an alternative to traditional houses.

[14] In Orange Walk about a quarter of all students surpass 70% on their standardized exams, compared with only 15% doing so in Stann Creek District.

Despite the high quality of education, Orange Walk has the second-highest rate of children aged 5–13 outside of school in the country, at 24.1%.

[10] Orange Walk has one of the lowest student budgets in the country, less than half that of Belize City.

Most Orange Walk residents pay for education out of their own pockets, spending 12% of their total budgets on it.

Local bus service to and from Belize City to the south and Corozal Town to the north operates approximately every half-hour.

The town is a mid-stop point between Belize City and Chetumal, Mexico, and for this reason many large tour buses pass through on a regular basis.

There are some speed bumps throughout the town, as well as traffic lights at main intersections (which are a rarity in Belize).

About fifty buses leave Orange Walk to surrounding towns, villages, and to Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Orange Walk has a very low internet access rate at 22.3%, compared with 38.2% in Belize City.

A relatively low number of foreign-born persons live in the city (10.8%, as opposed to 14.5% national average).