In 1680 Hermigua had 930 inhabitants and 188 houses. Due to the wine crisis in the 18th century, the economy was seriously affected, increasing emigration, and therefore, there was a decrease in the number of inhabitants. In 1812 it was established as a town hall, after the end of the manor regime. At the beginning of the 20th century, a series of works were carried out in the valley to bring water to all crops, characterized above all by bananas. The municipality reached 5,824 inhabitants in 1940, but the population decreased from that year onwards due to the phenomenon of emigration.

Hermigua posee uno de los paisajes mejor conservados de las islas, siendo actualmente de los pueblos menos poblados de España, el desarrollo no ha sido el de otros lugares. La sensación de belleza se encuentra en casi todas partes, desde su costa, que alberga la piscina natural más pintoresca de toda Canarias, los bancales de cultivo que tapizan todo el fértil valle, hasta el monte de Hermigua, El Cedro, con su arroyo y su delicioso caserío.

Just 20 minutes from the capital, Hermigua occupies a ninth of La Gomera and, despite its proximity to Tenerife, it is somehow still a confined region, inhabited by friendly people with a quiet charm.