The Rostov region as an administrative unit was established by a Soviet CEC Resolution on September 13, 1937.

The formation of the Rostov area, its isolation to the Azov-Black marine territory is an integral part of Don and North Kavkaz.
As a result of the industrialization policy, a strong industrial facility was created in the second half of the 30s in Don and North Kavkaz. The Azov-Black marine territory was also converted at this time, and could not lead to an administrative center.
On September 13, 1937, at the decree of the Soviet Central Executive Committee, the Azov-Black marine territory, with 144 districts, was divided into Krasnodar territory with a center in Krasnodar and the Rostov region with a center in Rostov-on-don.
The new area consists of 7 cities and 61 rural districts and has 2,887,418 people (as of January 1, 1939). By January 1, 1939, due to the increase in the situation of some settlements, the number of cities increased to 11.
The Rostov region plays a big role in the economy of the entire Soviet Union. Urban population (43.6 % in 1940) here faster than the entire alliance (32.8 %). From 1926 to 1939, the urban population of the region was nearly double. This has been explained by the higher industrialization and industrial development rate of the region. The coal industry develops violently, techniques, metallurgical and food industry developed.
The general population in the region also increased faster than the alliance (from 1926 to 1939 by 18.2 % in the region and 15.9 % in the alliance). The high annual average population has been preserved – 1.3 % in cities and 2.3 % in rural areas. Workers and employees have a total of 627 people. 35% of the total number of workers in the industry are women.