As of the 2020 census, Sanggau Regency had a population of 484,836;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 503,937 (comprising 260,982 males and 242,955 females).

Local legend says the name came from that of a plant that grows around the Sekayan River, where the Sanggau Kingdom was founded in the 4th century.

[5] The kingdom was led by the princess Dara Nante, who abdicated and gave the throne to her personal assistant Dakkudak.

[6]:171 After Dakkudak's flight, the state of the kingdom is unclear until 1485, when one of Dara Nante's relatives, a princess named Dayang Mas Ratna took the throne.

She moved the kingdom's capital from Labai Lawai to Mengkiang, which is close to the Sekayam river.

[6]:172 Ratna's successor was a princess named Dayang Puasa, who was related to the royal family of the neighbouring Sintang Kingdom.

[7]:32 During Puasa's reign, Sanggau and Sintang maintained good relations, and she consolidated power within the realm.

[7]:32 Puasa's successor was a king named Abang Gani, the kingdom's first male ruler.

The conflict started when Gani's daughter Dayang Seri Gemala married a noble from the Matan royal family.

Tahir II welcomed the Dutch in the kingdom's capital and allowed them to build an outpost in Sanggau.

His reign only lasted for a year; he was killed by Japanese forces and replaced by pro-Japanese Sultan Marhabah Saleh.

The town Meliau in Sanggau was captured briefly by Dayaks and revolting labourers but the Japanese recaptured it on 31 August 1945.

Ali Akbar was supportive of the establishment of an Indonesian republic and the returning Dutch staged a coup against him using troops under the command of a Dutchman named Riekerk.

Ali Akbar was replaced by Muhammad Taufik Surya Negara,[6]:177 whose reign lasted until the abolishment of swapraja (autonomous royal regions) under the newly recognized Indonesian Republic on 2 May 1960, ending the existence of the sultanate.

On 26 July 2006, Sanggau Sultanate was revived by cultural figures with the assistance of local government, nearly 49 years after its abolition.

[4][5] The sultanate was only intended for symbolic and cultural purposes, and no longer held political power.

The heads of districts are directly appointed by the regent with the recommendation of the regency secretary.

Other significant sectors are retail and trade with 10.35% of regency's GRP, mining with 10.96%, and construction with 6.44%.

[13] The regency main agricultural products are rubber, palm oil, and pepper.

[1] As with most Indonesian regions, the population is relatively young and the workforce is dominated by youths above 15 years old.

[13] Sanggau Regency has 457 elementary schools, 122 junior higschools, 29 senior highschools, and 18 vocational highscools (SMK).

Melawi Teaching and Education College has a campus branch located close to the Malaysian border in Entikong that offers a bachelor's degree in teaching-related majors such as mathematic education and elementary school teaching.

[26][27][28] The regency government has expressed interest in establishing its own state-owned polytechnic.

[43][44][45] A stadium named Indoor Bujang Malaka Sport Complex is also located in Sanggau town.