In the 8th century CE, the region was known as Swarnapur and was rules by vassal lords of the Bhaumkaras of Tosali.

[2] The evidence for these names comes from a Somavamsi prince of the region called Kumara Someswaradeva who issued a copper plate charter in the late 10th century which identified him as the ruler of Paschima Lanka.

[citation needed] In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Subarnapur one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).

[5] According to the 2011 census, Subarnapur district has a population of 610,183,[1] roughly equal to the nation of Montenegro[7] or the US state of Vermont.

The Sonepur area specializes in textiles and terracotta, Tarbha and Binka produce brass metal works, Ullunda is home to a tradition of stone carving, and Dunguripali produces Paddy crafts.

[citation needed] Subarnapur is home to the poet and prophet Mahima Dharma.