It is the seventh largest city in the state, and the administrative headquarters of eponymous Davangere district.

[2] Hitherto being a cotton hub and hence popularly known before as the Manchester of Karnataka, the commercial ventures of the city is now dominated by education and agro-processing industries.

Davanagere is known for rich culinary traditions which encompass the diversity of entire Karnataka's dishes due to its geographical position in the state as its centre.

[8] According to 2020 human living index, it was selected as the top 9th most livable city with a population under 10 million in India.

Davanagere is at the centre of Karnataka, 14°28' N latitude, 75°59' longitude and 602.5 metres (1,977 ft) above sea level.

It has Asia's 2nd largest irrigation tank called Sulekere (shanthi sagara) which is a major water source for farmers in the district.

[15] Davangere is well-connected by road to Bangalore, Chitradurga, Dharwad, Pune, Goa, Mangalore, Mysore and Chennai through NH 48 (previously National Highway 4).

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, has a divisional office situated in Davanagere City.