In 1904, a thana (police outpost headquarters) was founded in Barguna. During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, many people were murdered in Barguna town as well as the Bengali freedom fighters when retreating. 100 prisoners at the Barguna Jail were killed by the Pakistan Army on 29 and 30 November and they were later buried in a mass grave to the west of the Jail. By 3 December, Barguna had been liberated.[4] Barguna Sadar Thana's status was upgraded to upazila (sub-district) in 1983 as part of the President of BangladeshHussain Muhammad Ershad's decentralisation programme.
According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Barguna Sadar Upazila had a population of 260,830 living in 62,086 households. 56,337 (21.56%) were under 10 years of age. Barguna Sadar has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 58.6%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1036 females per 1000 males. 32,235 (12.36%) lived in urban areas.[6][7]
According to the 1991 Bangladesh census, Barguna Sadar had a population of 219,729. Males constituted 50.7% of the population, and females 49.3%. The population aged 18 or over was 111,209. Barguna Sadar had an average literacy rate of 90.8% (7+ years), compared to the national average of 72.4%.[8] Majority of its residents are Barisali Bengali Muslims, though there is a substantial population of Barisali Bengali Hindus as well as a minority Rakhine Buddhist community in Baliatali Union.[9]
Barguna Sadar Upazila is divided into Barguna Municipality and ten union parishads: Aylapatakata, Barguna, Bodorkhali, Burirchor, Dhalua, Fuljhuri, Gowrichanna, Keorabunia, M. Baliatali, and Noltona. The union parishads are subdivided into 51 mauzas and 191 villages.[11]
Barguna Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 18 mahallas.[11]
^"Bangladesh Postal Code". Dhaka: Bangladesh Postal Department under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. 21 October 2024.