Historically, the district Haveri has existence since pre-historic period. There, about 1300 stone writings are found which belong to different rulers such as Chalukyas, Rastrakutas. It was the second capital of Hoysala Vishnuvardhana. Some of the notable Samanta Rulers are Bankapura Challaketaru, Guttavula Guttaru, Kadambas of Hangal and Nurumbad. Guttaru ruled the region during latter part of the 12th century and up to the end of the 13th century from Guttavol (Guttal) village as Mandaliks of Chalukya, independently for some time and as Mandaliks of Seunas of Devagiri. Before being separate district, it was a part of the Dharwad district.

Krishna Shyamacharya Amur, a distinguished professor of mathematics in differential geometry as well as head of the department of mathematics in Karnatak University was born in the year 1931 at Suranagi village in the district. In 1992, he founded the Sri Aurobindo Society at Dharwar in the Karanataka State. Subbanna R. Ekkundi, born at Ranebennur in the Haveri district in the year 1923 was honoured with the prestigious awards likewise Sahitya Akademi award, Nation award for teacher and Soviet Land award.

Geographically, the district has total 4,823 sq. km. and occupies the ranks 21st in State and 239th in India. It lies at 14°79' N latitude, 75°40' E longitude and 605 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 7.20% forest area of total geographical area. It is bounded by Dharwad district on the North, by Gadag district in the North-East, by Bellary district on the East, by Davangere district on the South, by Shimoga district in the Sout-West and by Uttar Kannada on the West and North-West. The climate of the district remains pleasant almost throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1047.5 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administrative wise, the district is divided into 7 sub-districts, 10 towns and 696 villages. The district of Haveri came into existence on the 24th August, 1997, in the state of Karnataka with an allotted district code of 564. Its district Haveri is its headquarters which is located at a distance of 335 km. from the state capital.

Demographically, according to 2011 census, the district has a total number of 3,25,456 households with a total population of 15,97,668 including 8,19,128 are males and 7,78,540 are females and causing it to rank 18th in the state and 313th in India. The density of population of the district is 331 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is pegged at 950 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 946 (females per 1000 males). As per 2011 census the percentage of major religions practiced by the people of this region is Hindu at 80.23% and Muslim at 18.65%. According to 2011 census, the percentage of other principal languages spoken in the region is Kannada at 77.29% and Urdu at 17.70%. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 11.02% including 10.62% were males and 11.44% were females. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 20,795 out of which 10,756 were males and 10,039 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 13,584 out of which 8,199 were males and 5,385 were females.

Economically, the district is based on agriculture mainly. In the year 2019-20 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 22,84,893 lakhs at current price and Rs. 16,11,772 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 20,01,436 lakh at current price and Rs. 13,81,729 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 1,15,780 at current price and Rs. 79,931 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate in the district is 77.4% out of which 84% are males and 70.46% are females. The total literate population of the district is 10,85,443 out of which 6,03,793 are males and 4,81,650 are females. Rotary English Medium School was founded in 1979 by the local chapter of the Rotary International Club. It was the first English medium school in Ranibennur. Karnataka Folklore University is a public university. It was established in 2011 at Shiggaon by the Government of Karnataka. It is India’s First Folklore University. It provides degrees in MA, MSc in folklore, communication, ancient science, MBA in rural business and management, M Phil and PH.D. The Sri Taralabalu Jagadguru Institute of Technology (STJIT), affiliated with Visveswaraiah Technological University (VTU) is an engineering school which is situated in Ranibennur. The courses are recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in New Delhi.

The district has some famous political personalities. Somappa Rayappa Bommai, the 11th Chief Minister of Karnataka was born on 6th June, 1924. He was also served as the Human Resource Development Minister in the United Front government from 1996 to 1998. Basavanagowda Channabasavanagowda Patil, a Kannada actor who served as the MLA from Hirekerur assembly constituency for two times is popularly known as B. C. Patil.

The district has various attractive historical sites and religious places, such as Ranebennur Wild Life Sanctuary, Siddhesvara Temple, Goddess Dyamavva Temple-Havanur, Hukkeri Math, Mukteshwara Temple, Jain Basadi Yalavatti, Utsav Rock Garden, Sculptural Park and Tourist Centre. During the year 2016, there were 10 foreign tourists and 74,500 domestic tourists who visited the famous places of the district.