According to 2017 data, Sakanoichi has a population of 19,119 in 6,053 households.[1] Although Sakanoichi is a bedroom community for jobs in populous cities like Saiki, Saganoseki, Usuki, and Oita, 28.9% of its population is 60 years old or above. Some of the elderly residents of Sakanoichi farm rice and vegetables in the area; the community is particularly well known throughout the prefecture for its garlic chives and perilla.