On October 12, 2004, the city of Sendai, the towns of Hiwaki, Iriki, Kedoin, Togo and the villages of Sato, Kamikoshiki, Shimokoshiki, and Kashima merged to form the new city of Satsumasendai, dramatically decreasing the size and population of the district to 26,587 people and 303.43 km², making a density of 87.62 persons per km².