As of June 1, 2019, the district has an estimated population of 33,315 with a density of 43.6 per km2 and an area of 763.56 km2.
The entire city of Kuji, and most of the town of Kuzumaki were formerly part of Kunohe District.
The district has two towns and two villages: The ancient county of Nukanobu (糠部郡, Nikanobu-gun) in Mutsu Province was divided into the counties of Ninohe, Sannohe, Kunohe and Kita in 1634.
With the establishment of the municipality system on April 1, 1889, the two districts were merged and reorganized into one town (Kuji) and 19 villages.
Karumai was raised to town status on January 1, 1925, followed by Kuzumaki on December 25, 1940.