During the Ming dynasty, the Wang, Tsai, and Cheng families built houses in the area to farm the land.

After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China, the area was renamed Sanmin to set a good example.

[2] The current population of Sanmin District is 331,875 people, consisting of 158,939 males and 172,936 females.

[2] As of August 2006, Sanmin District has 87 villages; which are divided into 1,749 neighborhoods; which are further sub-divided into 125,561 households.

Villages in the district are Dingjin, Dingcheng, Dingjiang, Dingli, Dingxi, Dingzhong, Dingtai, Benguan, Benhe, Benwen, Benwu, Benyuan, Benan, Benshang, Benyang, Baoshi, Baode, Baotai, Baoxing, Baozhong, Baohua, Baoguo, Baomin, Baoqing, Baoye, Baocheng, Baoan, Baolong, Baozhu, Baoyu, Wanzi, Wanai, Wanzhong, Wanhua, Wansheng, Wanli, Wanfu, Zhengxing, Zhengshun, Wanxing, Wancheng, Ankang, Anning, Anji, Anfa, Antung, Dade, Daming, Daren, Dayong, Tongde, Dezhi, Deren, Ansheng, Detung, Dehang, Jinghua, Minxiang, Anyi, Antai, Anbang, Shiquan, Shimei, Debei, Licheng, Liye, Gangtung, Gangxin, Gangxi, Boai, Bohui, Zhangming, Jiantung, Xingde, Fengnan, Fengbei, Dexi, Fengyu, Chuantung, Yumin, Lihang, Qiansui, Lide, Qianbei and Qianqiu Village.