According to the 2002 Tanzania National Census, the population of the Chunya District was 234,908. Before the expansion of the Ruaha National Park in 2008, Mbarali District covered an area of 15,560 square kilometres (6,008sqmi).
The District Commissioner of the Mbarali District is Gilbert Dololo.
Wards
The Mbarali District is administratively divided into 20 wards: