It is the third largest city in Northern Mindanao in terms of population, after Cagayan de Oro and Iligan respectively.

The pioneers were led by Darwin Dumanggas Manangkila together with the families of the Binalhays, Laugas, Dongogans, Gua-ans, Lanayans, and the Arenzos.

However, the use of the name "Valencia" is already seen in Spanish documents in 1893 or even earlier which places it under the jurisdiction of Linabo or Sevilla (now Mailag) in the Province of Misamis.

[7][8] The rich natural resources found in the territory eventually attracted Christian settlers from the highly populated coastal areas of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon islands.

Teodoro Pepito led a petition by residents to convert barrio Valencia into a full-fledged municipality.

The Provincial Board passed a resolution approving the creation of the Municipality of Valencia, which it forwarded to the Office of the President of the Philippines.

In a decision dated May 31, 1965, two years after the first general election was held, the said high court declared, in a quo warranto petition, that Pepito's and Garcia's tenure after Macapagal's appointment were not legally recognized.

However, before his term expired in 1975, martial law was declared by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 and elections for local officials were suspended.

In February 1986, the People Power Revolution in Manila took place and Corazon Aquino became the President of the Republic.

During the campaign for the approval of the new constitution, the municipal government under the leadership of Absalon Catarata wholeheartedly supported it.

However early in 2010, Verano died at office and was replaced by Azucena Huervas, the president of Valencia's Association of Barangay Captains.

These cover 25.72 percent of the total city area and major portions of Barangay of Lourdes, Guinoyuran and Lilingayon.

Volcanic rocks believed to be of pliocene-quaternary age underlie the areas west of Pulangi River.

The areas east of the broad plains in Valencia City are underlain by stratified sequence of clastic sedimentary rocks and limestone.

Macolod clay ranked third with 17.51 percent and are generally suited for forest plantation of exotic species.

Kidapawan clay loam and undifferentiated mountains soil followed and occupy a combined area of 17.70 percent located within Lilingayon.

Poblacion and its surroundings hold importance in the city, serving as the venue of everyday life in and near the urban center.

Due to its large urban population and area, there are informal and unofficial sectors which hold cultural, social, and economic significance to the city.

Famous motorbike and vehicle retailers, hotels, schools, hospitals and cafes are located at the Hagkol area.

This illustrates that the city is agricultural-based; people depend on much of their source of income through farming, livestock, and poultry.

Valencia is nicknamed as the City of Golden Harvest because of its vast rice plains along the barangays north and east of Pulangi River.

Valencia's clay-rich, soil which is highly irrigated and favorable to climatic condition, is very conducive for crop production.

Public utility vehicles in the Old terminal are available for travel to the municipalities of Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Kibawe, Malaybalay City, Maramag, Quezon, San Fernando, and Wao.

Buses from Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Davao City are housed in the Integrated Transportation Terminal Complex located at Barangay Bagontaas, approximately three kilometers north from Poblacion.

Pabama Transport, Rural Transit and Tours, and Super 5 serves the city with their regional routes.

Tricycles (locally Motorelas) and private vehicles facilitate the movement of people and goods to and from all places in the city.

To reduce congestion of traffic in the city center, Valencia By-pass Road is under construction with its junction in Barangay Mailag.

The City Government also implemented a one-way traffic scheme on the whole stretch of Quezon and Mabini Street.

Several students are enrolled in studies at Central Mindanao University, part of the Municipality of Maramag, approximately 7 kilometers from the city proper.

However, public secondary education is primarily offered by Valencia National High School, which is also the largest in the city.