[4][9] On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Vegaarshei.

The official blazon is "Gules, a fox sejant argent" (Norwegian: I rødt en sittende sølv rev).

The fox has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

It is part of the Aust-Nedenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Vegårshei is bordered on the north by the municipalities of Nissedal (in Telemark county) and Gjerstad, on the east by Risør, on the south by Tvedestrand, and on the west by Åmli.

The lake Vegår dominates the northern part of the hilly and forested municipality.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Vegårshei is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four-year terms.

The Sørlandsbanen railway line runs through the municipality, stopping at Vegårshei Station, just north of the village of Myra.