According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), Qarawat Bani Zeid had a population of 3,415 inhabitants in 2017.

[2] Almost all of Qarawat Bani Zeid is under the complete control of the Palestinian National Authority, as it is located within Area A.

[5] The "Qarawat" portion of the name comes from the Arabic word Qaran, which means "central point", originating from the site's location between the major cities of Nablus, Jericho and Jerusalem.

It is bordered by Bani Zeid ash Sharqiya to the east and to the south, Farkha and Bruqin to the north, and Kafr 'Ein to the west.

[12][13] In 1882, the PEF's Survey of Western Palestine (SWP) described is as "a small village on a knoll, with ancient tombs, and a tank, surrounded with olives.

Traditional industries include basket weaving from olive wood, wool and leather-making and food manufacturing, particularly cheese.

Elections are not held; rather, the council — which has representatives from the village's prominent families — select a mayor.

The primary political faction is the Palestinian People's Party (PPP) and Fatah, Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) have minor influence in the village.