[2] Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Bandō peaked around the year 1990 and has declined slightly since.

The area of modern Bandō was part of Shimōsa Province until the start of the Meiji period.

With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the village of Iwai was created within Sashima District, Ibaraki.

Bandō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 7th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.