At the time of the 2006 National Census, the rural district's population (as Shirvan Rural District of the Central District) was 21,710 in 5,351 households.[4] There were 22,948 inhabitants in 6,475 households at the following census of 2011.[5] The 2016 census measured the population of the rural district as 21,662 in 6,462 households. The most populous of its 64 villages was Khayan, with 2,148 people.[2]
After the census, the rural district was separated from the district in the establishment of Shirvan District, which was divided into two rural districts, including the new Shirvan-e Gharbi Rural District.[3]