Under the Ryukyu Kingdom the present-day area of Okinawa City was occupied by two magiri, a type of administrative district.

During the occupation of Okinawa, the U.S. military government established the city of Koza (コザ市, Koza-shi) in Goeku.

Both municipalities, which were formerly largely agricultural, became heavily urbanized as a result of the construction of refugee camps and the establishment of large-scale military bases.

The riot was unexpected, and strained the ongoing negotiations on the end of the United States administration of Okinawa.

The district extending from Goya to the gate of Kadena Air Base, and Chūō Park Avenue, has many visitors from the U.S. military, and many shops have signs in both Japanese and English.

[7] Neighboring municipalities consist of: In June 2013 more than 20 barrels were found on an Okinawa city civilian soccer field built on former U.S. military land.

Barrels revealed traces of herbicides and nearby water had levels of dioxin 840 times above safe limits.

Other city facilities include a baseball stadium where the Hiroshima Toyo Carp hold their spring training.

The city hosted some matches for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup sharing with Philippines and Indonesia at the Okinawa Arena.