In British India sub-districts were called as "Thana", which were mainly exercised by the police.

In 1949, Naogaon Sadar was declared as a Thana, in 1960 as a development circle and in 1984 as a sub-district.

[5] According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Naogaon Sadar Upazila had 100,867 households and a population of 405,148.

Naogaon Sadar had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 53.49%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 981 females per 1000 males.

[7] Ethnic population was 1,303 (0.32%)[8] Naogaon Sadar Upazila is divided into Naogaon Municipality and 12 union parishads: Baktiarpur, Balihar, Barshail, Boalia, Chandipur, Dubalhati, Hapania, Hashaighari, Kirtipur, Sailgachhi, Shikarpur, and Tilakpur.