The oldest towns in the region are Kursk and Rylsk, first mentioned in 1032 and 1152,[11] respectively, both capitals of small medieval eponymous duchies.

A real growth of the area around Kursk began soon after that, with a large migration from Central Russia after the Russian famine of 1601–1603.

The current southwestern outskirts of the oblast with the town of Sudzha were part of Sloboda Ukraine and populated by Ukrainians since the mid-17th century.

In 1918, the western portion of the current Kursk Oblast with the towns of Rylsk and Sudzha was part of the Ukrainian State.

[12] Korenevo was the place of signing of a ceasefire between the Ukrainian State, Germany and Soviet Russia in May 1918.

Kursk was the place of establishment of the Provisional Workers' and Peasants' Government of Ukraine, and Sudzha was its first seat in November-December 1918.

During World War II, the territory of Kursk Oblast was occupied by German troops from the autumn of 1941 until the summer of 1943.

The territory of Kursk Oblast was the region in which the 4th leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, was born.

As of 2024, the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline in Sudzha was the last remaining point through which natural gas flowed from Russia to Europe via Ukraine.

The central part of the oblast is more elevated than the Seym river valley in the west.

The low relief, gentle slopes, and mild winters make the area suitable for farming, and much of the forest has been cleared.

The inland waters of Kursk oblast consist of 145 artificial lakes and about 550 small ponds.

The oblast's location at the center of the European part of Russia gives the region a medium continental climate: warm summers and relatively mild winters.

According to a 2012 survey[30] 68.7% of the population of Kursk Oblast adheres to the Russian Orthodox Church.

In addition, 24% of the population declares to be "spiritual but not religious", 4% is atheist, and 3.3% follows other religions or did not give an answer to the question.

In 1991, CPSU lost power, and the head of the Oblast administration, and eventually the governor was appointed/elected alongside elected regional parliament.

The Kursk Oblast Duma is the province's standing legislative (representative) body.

The highest executive body is the Oblast Government, which includes territorial executive bodies such as district administrations, committees, and commissions that facilitate development and run the day to day matters of the province.

Moreover, the manufacturing sector, despite a sagging economy in the late 20th century, continues to account for about 40% of the oblast's GDP.

[citation needed] The oblast's railroads are one of the most important parts of the transportation system.

Traditional art and architecture are preserved in the town-museum of Rylsk and other historical towns of Kursk Oblast.