Jōetsu (上越市, Jōetsu-shi?) is a city located in Niigata, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 206,175 and the density of 212 persons per km². The total area is 973.32 km². The city was founded on April 29, 1971, after the cities of Takada and Naoetsu were consolidated. The city (4/29/1971-12/31/2004) historically, was once part of now-defunct Nakakubiki District. The city absorbed Maki, Oshima, Uragawara, Yasuzuka, Itakura, Kakizaki, Kiyosato, Kubiki, Nakagou, Ogata, Sanwa, Yoshikawa and Nadachi on January 1, 2005 and the city is now extended into now-defunct Higashikubiki and Nishikubiki District areas.