The rulers of the district composed of several Arab families, some originating from northern Syrian cities, some from Balqa, in modern-day Jordan, and others were indigenous to Nablus.

The primary rural noble families were the Tuqan, Jarrar, Abd al-Hadi, Jayyusi, Nimr, Rayyan, Qasim, At'ut, al-Hajj Muhammad, Ghazi and Jaradat.

With the help of rural trading partners, these urban notables established trading monopolies that transformed Jabal Nablus’ autarkic economy into an export-driven market, shipping vast quantities of cash crops and finished goods to off-shore markets.

Increasing demand for these commodities in the Ottoman Empire’s urban centres and in Europe spurred demographic growth and settlement expansion in the lowlands surrounding Jabal Nablus.

Most economic activity was based in Nablus, however the surrounding towns and villages supplied the crude product.