When it was first created on 4 October 1999 (by separation from Central Maluku Regency), the regency encompassed the entire island (plus outlying islands); but on 24 June 2008 the southern 40% of the island was split off to form a separate Buru Selatan (South Buru) Regency.

The population at the 2010 census was 108,445[2] and at the 2020 census this had increased to 135,238;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 139,408 (comprising 70,598 males and 68,810 females).

[1] The table also includes the location of the district headquarters, the number of administrative villages (all classed as rural desa) in each district, and its postal codes.

Notes: (a) including the offshore islands of Pulau Nirwana Besar and Pulau Nirwana Kecil.

(b) including the offshore island of Pulau Batukapal.