At the 2010 census the regency was divided into nine districts (Indonesian: kecamatan), but a tenth district (Kepulauan Tanakeke) was subsequently cut out of Mappakusunggu District. These districts are tabulated below with their areas and their population totals from the 2010 census^[2] and the 2020 census,^[3] together with the official estimates for mid 2023.^[1] Two additional districts were subsequently added in late 2022 - Polombangkeng Timur cut out from part of Polombangkeng Utara District, and Laikang from part of Mangara Bombang District; no separate figures are yet available for their areas and populations, which are included with the figures for the district from which they were cut out. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages in each district (totaling 86 rural desa and 24 urban kelurahan), and its postal codes.

Notes: (a) includes one kelurahan. (b) comprises a group of eight offshore islands. (c) the 2010 figure is included in the figure for Mappakusunggu District. (d) includes 6 kelurahan. (e) all 9 are kelurahan. (f) includes offshore island of Pulau Sanrobengi.

The regency is virtually split into two parts, with part of Gowa Regency nearly reaching the coast between Galesong Selatan and Sanrobone districts. The northern part (the three Galesong districts) forms an urbanised narrow coastal strip stretching south from Makassar city, plus the small offshore island of Pulau Sanrobengi; it covers 65.75 km² with 119,177 inhabitants in mid 2023.^[1] The larger southern area comprises the remaining nine districts.

5°25′S 119°35′E / 5.417°S 119.583°E / -5.417; 119.583