To the west, Sunzha borders Troitskya, on the east Sernovosky of the Sunzhensky District of Chechnya.

In 18th century Ingush highlanders established settlements in the modern Sunzhensky district of Ingushetia.

According to the maps of 1834, several Ingush settlements are known to the area, including Kurei-Yurt which was lying on the modern boundaries of the town of Sunzha.

According to the rapport by the Vladikavkaz commandant the population of village Kurai-Yurt was 585 people, which was considered to be a relatively large settlement.

During the Russian Empire, the town was the administrative capital of the Sunzhensky Otdel of the Terek Oblast.