The oblast was located in the north of European Russia and its territory is currently divided between Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kostroma and Kirov oblasts and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

Before 1936, the area occupied by Northern Oblast was part of Northern Krai, a vast administrative unit comprising the north of Russia.

Northern Oblast included 54 districts, three of which were in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

Pavinsky and Vokhomsky District became a part of Kostroma Oblast.

By the 1937 All-Union Census, the population of Northern Oblast was 2,262,255 persons.