The district was established on August 20, 1930 as Karagushevsky District (Карагушевский район) with the administrative center in the selo of Karagushevo.[1] On February 20, 1932, the administrative center was moved to Sterlibashevo, and the district was consequently renamed Sterlibashevsky.[2] On February 1, 1963, the district was split between Sterlitamaksky and Meleuzovsky Rural Districts, but was restored on March 3, 1964.[2]