The population of the territory is mainly composed of two cultures: natives and jamesians. Of the 30 000 inhabitants, a third are indigenous.

There are nine Cree villages on the territory. Whapmagoostui, Chisasibi, Wemindji, Eastmain and Waskaganish are established north along the shores of James Bay while the communities of Nemaska, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou and Waswanipi are located inland.

The jamesian population is distributed in the localities and agglomerations across the territory and mostly concentrated in the four enclosed cities which are Chapais, Chibougamau, Matagami and Lebel-sur-Quévillon. Created between 1954 and 1965, these cities had a mono-industrial characteristic centered on mining and forest resources.

These four partner cities maintain their territory and their autonomy in relation to the Municipality. They benefit of all the privileges attached to this independence. This does not exclude a collaboration in multiple social matters, economic and cultural issues concerning the territory. The Municipality and its cities are part of the Conseil Régional de développement de la Baie James.