The district dates back to the Oberamt Ludwigsburg, which was created by the dukedom Württemberg in the beginning of the 19th century.

Several municipalities of the dissolved Oberämter Besigheim, Marbach and Waiblingen were added to the newly formed district.

The main river in the district is the Neckar, which divides the district into a big western part and a smaller eastern part.

Even older is the partnership with the region Upper Galilee in Israel.

A friendship exists with the city Yichang in the province Hubei, China.