Its population was estimated to be around 124,420 in 2010,[2] which is divided between Bruneian Malay[3] (particularly in the villages of Benoni, Buang Sayang, Bongawan, Kampung Laut, Kelanahan, Takis, Kimanis and Kinarut), Kadazan-Dusun[3] (concentrated in the villages of Rampazan, Limbahau, Kinarut, Kopimpinan, Lakut, Mondolipau, Kinuta, Bungug, Padawan, Koiduan, Ulu Kimanis, Sumbiling and Limputung), and Bajau[3] (mostly in the villages of Pengalat Besar, Pengalat Kecil, Kawang, Kuala, Sg Padang and Beringgis).

There is also a sizeable Chinese minority (including those of mixed-race or Sino-Native origin),[3] predominantly of the Hakka subgroup, as well as smaller numbers of other races.

Despite the rapid expansion of Kota Kinabalu, the district is still dominated by paddy fields, which are largely worked by natives, and fruit orchards, most of which belong to the ethnic Chinese minority.

References to it and the Papar River can be found in reports on the Agas and Semut covert intelligence operations, and later in the Stallion and Oboe 6 attack plans.

[6] Papar is a major hub for the proselytisation of Islam on the west coast of Sabah, owing to its large Muslim community.