Established in 1954 (predecessor municipality Säräisniemi, established in 1867), the municipality has a population of 2,579 (31 December 2024)[2] and covers an area of 1,764.04 square kilometres (681.10 sq mi) of which 461.45 km2 (178.17 sq mi) is water.

Previously Vaala was part of the Kainuu region but was transferred to Northern Ostrobothnia on 1 January 2016.

The original center of the area was Manamansalo, the largest island in the Oulujärvi with a village by the same name.

The village of Vaala was transferred from Utajärvi to Säräisniemi in 1954, becoming the new administrative center of the municipality.

Vaala is located on the border between the Northern Ostrobothnian and Savonian (Kainuu) dialects.