The largest settlement and the district's administrative capital is Nansio.

In 2016 the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics report there were 388,778 people in the district, from 345,147 in 2012.

[1]: 148 [3]: 174 There are several small hotels and guest houses on the island to accommodate visitors.

The district can be accessed by boats operating between Mwanza city and Nansio town in the Island daily.

A road connecting the Island with Bunda district in Mara region across the lake Victoria by ferries on the eastern part, can be an ideal route for those wishing not to spend much time in waterways.