It is bordered by Jigawa to the north, Yobe to the northeast, Gombe to the east, Taraba and Plateau to the south, Kaduna to the west and Kano to the northwest.

[6] What is now Bauchi State has been inhabited for ages by various ethnic groups, including the Bolewa, Butawa, and Warji in the central region; the Fulani, Kanuri, and Karai-Karai in the north; the Bankal, Jaku and Gerawa in and around the city of Bauchi; the Zaar and the Gwak in the south; the Dugurawa in the southeast; and the Jarawa in the southwest.

Religiously, the vast majority of the state's population (~80%) are Muslim with Christian and traditionalist minorities at about 15% and 5%, respectively.

[citation needed] As a major agriculture-based state, the Bauchi State economy partially relies on livestock and crops, such as cotton, groundnuts, millet, tomatoes, and yams with advanced irrigation schemes increasing agricultural production since statehood.

Other industries include food processing and canning facilities, tin and columbite mining, and tourism in Yankari National Park and its Wikki Warm Springs.

[9] Bauchi and Adamawa were the two main sources of freedom and tourism for the Fulani empire of Sokoto.

The Ajawa language was spoken in Bauchi State, but became extinct by 1940 as speakers shifted to Hausa.

The vegetation types as described above are conditioned by the climatic factors, which in turn determine the amount of rainfall received in the area.

In contrast, the northern part of the state receives the rains late, usually around June or July, and records the highest amount of 700 millimetres (28 in) per annum.

[20] The average annual temperature ranges from 57 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with occasional exceptions when it falls below 51 or rises over 104.

From 15 July to 1 October, the cool season, which has an average daily high temperature below 86 °F, lasts for 2.6 months.

[5] Particulate matter, which has a diameter of less than 10 microns and is 1/7th the thickness of a human hair, is a significant source of air pollution in Bauchi.

These particles, which can include smoke, soot, dust, salt, acids, and metals, pose a serious threat to health because they may be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs.

[21][22][23] Gully erosion, which has swept away bridges, culverts, and homes, is causing alarm among residents of the settlements of Alkaleri and Kirfi in Bauchi State.

[24][25] Bauchi State has a total of 55 tribal groups which include Gerawa, Sayawa, Jarawa, Kirfawa, Turawa Bolewa, Karekare, Kanuri, Fa'awa, Butawa, Warjawa, Zulawa, Boyawa MBadawa.

There are cultural similarities in the people's language, occupational practices, festivals, dress and there is a high degree of ethnic interaction especially in marriage and economic existence.

As at 2019, the governor of Bauchi State is Bala Mohammed, who emerged victorious in the 9 March 2019 Governorship election with the political party PDP.