[8] In 1773, Nevel was chartered, and the territory was organized as Nevesky Uyezd of Pskov Governorate.

After 1919, Vitebsk Governorate was a part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished and Nevelsky District was established, with the administrative center in the town of Nevel.

Pskov Governorate was abolished as well, and the district became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

On January 29, 1935, the district was transferred to Kalinin Oblast and on February 5 of the same year, Nevelsky District became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Kalinin Oblast, one of the okrugs abutting the state boundaries of the Soviet Union.

On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established Velikiye Luki Oblast.

[10] On August 1, 1927, Porechyevsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Porechye was created on the territories which previously belonged to Nevelsky Uyezd.

The main agricultural specializations in Nevelsky District are meat and milk production, as well as crops growing.

The M20 Highway connecting St. Petersburg and Kiev crosses the district from north to south.

Other main roads connect Nevel with Velikiye Luki, with Smolensk via Usvyaty and Velizh, with Polotsk, and with Verkhnyadzvinsk via Rossony.