As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 36,910 and the density of 1,283.83 persons per km².
The seaport of Sakaiminato is one of the most famous fishery ports in Japan and is the major port of Tottori prefecture.
Recently a merger with Yonago and other neighboring municipalities was proposed but the majority of the citizenry voted against this, and Sakaiminato is set to remain an automonous municipality within Tottori prefecture.