Sarmi is named from an acronym of the five main ethnic groups, which are the Sobey, Armati, Rumbuai, Manirem, and Isirawa.

The highest elevation of this regency is the summit of the Gauttier Mountain Range, at ~2,250 m above sea level, near the border with Mamberamo Raya.

The majority religion adopted by the Sarmi community is Christianity, with a significant presence of Islam brought by transmigrants from Java and Madura, as well as a small minority of Hindus and Buddhists from Bali.

Sarmi is inhabited by Sobey, Armati, Rumbuai, Manirem, and Isirawa - all of who are native Papuans - together with migrants from other parts of Indonesia, especially Javanese, Madurese, Batak, Minangkabau, Bugis, etc.

Long before European explorers landed on the northern coast of New Guinea, since prehistoric times the region had been in contact with various foreign cultures.