Historically, Kodagu has is also named as Kodavu who were the earliest agriculturists and warrior community in Kodagu. The Ganges of Talakkadu ruled the region in the 9th and 10th century. Between 1600 and 1834, it was ruled by the Haleri dynasty. The Kadambas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas, the Rastrakutas, and the Vijaynagar Rayas also ruled over Kodagu. In the year 1834, the East India Company annexed Kodagu into British India, after deposing Chikka Virarajendra of the Kodagu kingdom, as 'Coorg'. Moreover, the people of this region also accepted the British rule peacefully. During the period of British rule, the place flourished in various fields likewise establishment of educational institutions, introduction of scientific coffee cultivation, better administration, improvement of the economy, etc. It was merged with the Mysore State in the year 1956 which is now called Karnataka.

Here are numerous famous personalities who belong to different fields. Robin Venu Uthappa is the most famous personality of this region. He was born on 11th November, 1985 is an Indian cricketer. He plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Maleyanda D Muthappa, (first Kodava Hockey player to represent India), M. P. Ganesh (former hockey team captain, Olympian and coach, 1973 Arjuna Awardees), B. P. Govinda (hockey player, 1975 Arjuna Awardee), Sommayya Maneypande or M M Somaiya (former Indian Hockey team player, captain, Olympian, Arjuna Awardee 1985, Hockey Gold Medalist 1980), P T Bopanna (author and journalist) are other examples.

Geographically, the district has total 4,102 sq. km. and occupies the ranks 25th in State and 295th in India on the basis of this size. It lies at 12°42' N latitude, 75°74' E longitude and 1715 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 79.42% forest area of total geographical area. It is a hilly district which is situated on the Eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is bounded by Dakshina Kannada district to the North-West, Hassan district to the North, Mysore district to the East, Kasaragod district in West and Kannur district of Kerala to the South-West, and Wayanad district of Kerala to the South. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 2932.3 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administrative wise, the district is divided into 3 sub-districts namely Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet. Moreover, it has 5 towns and 291 villages. Kannada is its official language. The district of Kodagu came into existence on the 1st November, 1956 in the state of Karnataka with an allotted district code of 576. Its district Headquarters is at Madikeri which is located at a distance of 271 km. from the State Capital.

Demographically, according to 2011 census, the district is home to a total number of 1,38,303 households with a total population of 5,54,519 including 2,74,608 are males and 2,79,911 are females. The density of population of the district is 135 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is pegged at 1019 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 978 (females per 1000 males). As per 2011 census the percentage of major religions practiced by the people of this region is Hindu at 80.97% and Muslim at 15.74%. According to 2011 census the percentage of principal languages of the region was Kannada, Malayalam, Coorgi/Kodaguat and Tulu with 32.66%, 25.57%, 14.86% and 8.92%. The population growth rate during the period 2001-2011 was 1.09% out of which -0.08% were males and 2.26% were females. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 6,738 out of which 3,465 were males and 3,273 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 4,304 out of which 2,679 were males and 1,625 were females.

Economically, agriculture, plantations and forestry are the back bone of the district. Coffee, paddy, rice, para rubber, teak, and cocoa and other crops are also cultivated in the region. Tourism sector of the district is also playing a significant role in its economy. Black pepper, cardamom and vanilla are grown on a large scale. Kodagu oranges are very famous product of the region. Small scale industries are flourished here. In the year 2019-20 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 12,84,099 lakhs at current price and Rs. 9,51,075 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 11,40,459 lakh at current price and Rs. 8,26,768 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. 1,90,083 at current price and Rs. 1,37,799 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate in the district is 82.61% out of which 87.19% are males and 78.14% are females. The total literate population of the district is 4,12,877 including 2,15,302 are males and 1,97,575 are females. Coorg Institute of Dental sciences, Virajpet, Government Engineering College, Kushalnagar, College of Forestry, Ponnampet, University of Agricultural Sciences (B), Coorg Institute of Technology, Ponnampet and Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, Madikeri are some of the notable institutes of the district. Sainik Schools Society runs under Ministry of Defence. It prepares boys for National Defence Academy. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) is a part of the Navodaya Vidyalaya group, established in the year 1987. Sandeepany English Medium School was started in 1990. It has lower primary, primary, middle school, high school under Karnataka Board. Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences (CIDS) was founded in September, 1999. It is affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and recognized by the Dental Council of India, the Government of Karnataka and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It has a number of clinical and non-clinical departments.

The district has several key political personalities. Cheppudira Muthana Poonacha (C.M. Poonacha) has served as Chief Minister of Coorg, Minister in Mysore State, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha), Union Railway Minister of India and Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Iychettira Prema Cariappa is an Indian political who belongs to Indian National Congress, the chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board and social worker. She was a former Mayor of Bangalore and represented Karnataka in Rajya Sabha as Member of Parliament. M. P Appachu Ranjan (born 11th September, 1957) is a member of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). He was the Former Minister for Youth Services and Sports in Karnataka. For the fourth time he became the Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Madikeri Constituency in Kodagu district, belongs to the Kodava Hindu community.

The district has a number of famous historical and religious places to visit. These places are Raja's Seat, Omkareshwar Temple, Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Mallalli Falls, Irupu Falls, Kaveri Nisarga Dhama, Dubare Elephant Camp, Bhagamndala and Talakaveri. During the year 2016, there were 9,715 foreign tourists and 15,64,010 domestic tourists who visited the above places.