Neighboring districts are Rems-Murr, Ostalbkreis, Heidenheim, Alb-Donau, Reutlingen and Esslingen.

In 1817, Württemberg was divided into four kreise (districts), the southeastern one of which was named Donaukreis.

In Donaukreis, the most northern of the oberämter were Göppingen and to its east Geislingen.

The district is sometimes called Stauferkreis because the Staufen family had their roots in the area.

The district is located in the northern foothills of the Swabian Jura (Schwäbische Alb).