It was bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Torgau-Oschatz, Riesa-Großenhain, Meißen, Mittweida and Muldentalkreis.

The region was originally populated by Sorbic peoples.

In the early Middle Ages, the Daleminzian people settled along this section of the Mulde River.

Döbeln was one of the few districts which had not been changed directly after the German reunification.

The district was located on the banks of the Freiberger Mulde in the triangle between the cities of Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz.