[1] The main town within the township is also identified as Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm to distinguish it from a parish municipality with the same name in La Mitis RCM.

Over time, the small village received urban population attracted by its beautiful landscape and the town was officially established in 1904.

Saint-Donat forms part of the federal electoral district of Joliette and has been represented by Gabriel Ste-Marie of the Bloc Québécois since 2015.

Provincially, Saint-Donat is part of the Bertrand electoral district and is represented by France-Élaine Duranceau of the Coalition Avenir Québec since 2022.

Sainte Agathe Academy (of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board) in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts serves English-speaking students in this community for both elementary and secondary levels.

Outdoor skating rinks and cross country ski trails through the forest are frequented by locals and tourists alike.