The district, with a population of 900,422 (census 2011), and covering an area of 686.21 km2, is situated on the north-eastern corner of Jharkhand state.

It is generating the highest revenue for Howrah railway Division by supplying Black Stone Chips across India and Coal to Punjab.

In the past, Pakur was a land populated by Santhals and Mal Paharia people.

However, over a period of time, demographic composition has gradually changed to the modern era, and the local folks have come to the mainstream of the Indian society.

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Pakur one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).