Like most towns in the region, Cehegín experienced a big demographic increase until 1940. Right after that there was a notable decline in the 1940s and 1960s, followed by a phase of stability. The current trend is clear growth, but the number of cehegineros who emigrate to other countries is still high. In the district of Valentín (546 inhabitants) an important socio-economic change has taken place with the strong boom experienced by the semi-handicraft industry of clay pottery, destined mainly for export.