It was created in 1952 from portions of Changgang and Changjin, as part of a general reorganization of local government.

The climate is cold and continental, with frosts descending in mid-September and not relenting until late May.

The chief local crop is potatoes; maize, barley, and wheat are also raised.

The Rangrim Revolutionary Battle Site is associated with feats of Kim Il Sung during the anti-Japanese struggle.

[2] Rangrim County is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 2 rodongjagu (workers' districts) and 14 ri (villages):