Kushtia is the birthplace of many historical figures including Mir Mosharraf Hossain (1847–1912),[6] Bagha Jatin (1879–1915)[7] Akshay Kumar Maitreya(1861 – 1930) and Lalon (1774–1890).

[8] Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore lived his early life at Shelaidaha, a village in the district.

A 147-member company of the 27th Baloch Regiment of the Pakistan Army reached Kushtia on 25 March 1971 from its base at Jessore cantonment.

By 1 April, the Pakistani army was completely overpowered and the Mukti Bahini took control of Kushtia and emerged victorious in the Battle.

On 22 November 1979 the foundation stone of The Islamic University was laid at Shantidanga – Dulalpur under the districts of Kushtia and Jhenidah.

Kushtia district is divided into 6 upazilas, 7 police stations, 5 municipalities, 67 union councils, 710 mauzas and 979 villages.

Kushtia District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 69.01%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1036 females per 1000 males.

The shrine of Lalon Fakir, the founder of the Baul order, is located in Cheouria, about 2 km east of the Kushtia railway station.

The famous Tiler Khaja Factory is just beside the Milpara Rail Gate in Kushtia Town.