In the 1820s, military settlements were organized in Staraya Russa and around, in accordance with the project designed by Aleksey Arakcheyev, an influential statesman.

As it was inconvenient to have both civil and military administration in Staraya Russa, the uyezd was subsequently abolished in 1824.

The town of Staraya Russa and some adjacent territories were directly subordinated to the Defense Ministry.

Starorussky District, with the administrative center in the town of Staraya Russa,[12] was established within Novgorod Okrug of Leningrad Oblast effective October 1, 1927.

[15] On September 19, 1939, Staraya Russa was elevated in status to that of a town under oblast jurisdiction and thus ceased to be a part of the district.

[12] On July 5, 1944, Starorussky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast,[12] where it remained ever since.

Effective October 1, 1927,[2] Podgoshchsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Podgoshchi was also established, as a part of Novgorod Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

[14] Also effective October 1, 1927,[2] Volotovsky District with the administrative center in the settlement of Volot was established, as a part of Novgorod Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

[18] On July 5, 1944, Zaluchsky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast.

[1] The town of Staraya Russa serves as its administrative center, despite being incorporated separately as a town of oblast significance—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts[1] (and which, in addition to Staraya Russa, also includes two rural localities).

[6] Most industrial enterprises are concentrated in the town of Staraya Russa, which is administratively not a part of the district.

The district specializes in fishing in Lake Ilmen as well as cattle breeding with subsequent meat and milk production.

[19] A railway which connects Bologoye and Pskov via Staraya Russa runs through the district from east to west.