The Rajon, founded on July 15, 1929, is the settlement area of the Komi-Ischemzen , who give it its name and make up 85% of the population. 10% of the population are Russians .
The Rajon includes ten rural communities (selskoje posselenije) . The largest villages next to the Ishma district center are the Shchelyayur settlement with over 2700 inhabitants (2015) and the villages of Mochcha and Sisjabsk with a good 1000 inhabitants each (2010).