In 1800, before the Finnish War, the island had been visited by King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden.

The bombs were responsible for the sinking of the cargo ship SS Notung in 1940 just northeast of Sottunga.

The population of Sottunga reached its peak in the 1920s with about 400 inhabitants from which it has gradually declined during the 20th century.

Sottunga does not have many inhabitants and so the island has only one bank, one post office, one primary school and one healthcare center.

The industry of the island is dominated by dairy products and the cultivation of sugar beet.