It had a territory of 78,100 km2 (30,200 sq mi) and, as of 1989 All-Union Census, the population of the oblast was 664,282 persons.

Much of the oblast's relief was hilly, with Gora Sinyukha rising as high as 947 metres (3,107 ft) above sea level.

Kokshetau Oblast was located in the Omsk Time Zone (OMST) (UTC+06:00).

The most populous city was the Oblast's administrative center, Kokchetav, with 138,814 inhabitants.

Other large cities and towns include Shchuchinsk, Krasnoarmeysk, and Stepnyak.