The Carringum balug people of the Wathaurong nation are the traditional owners of the land surrounding Snake Valley/Carngham district.

In 1865, Bailliere’s Victorian gazetteer recorded Snake Valley as having five hotels, a mechanics' institute and a Court of Petty Sessions.

In the 1880s, the Victorian municipal directory described Snake Valley as "a straggling mining township with outlying farming districts" and recorded five churches.

For a small population, Snake Valley has a large number of active community groups and organisations: The local economy is agricultural in nature.

John "Jack" Worrall, Australian rules footballer and cricketer was born at Chinaman's Flat in the locality in 1861.