The municipality is located at the foot of Mount Paraturo, on the left bank of the Isclero river and bordering the province of Avellino and the province of Naples.
The village has been inhabited since ancient times, but certain information dates back to the Longobard period.
Paolisi followed the feudal fortunes of Arpaia and belonged to the Stendardo, Boffa, Della Leonessa, Guevara, Carafa and Caracciolo families, later becoming part of the province of Principato Ultra in 1809 and province of Benevento after the Unification of Italy.
Today, the municipality has about 2000 inhabitants. The town centre is characterised by numerous 17th/ 18th century buildings. Local production consists mainly of cereals, fruit, poplar groves and chestnuts. There are also numerous artisan activities.