Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Böblingen, Reutlingen, Zollernalbkreis and Freudenstadt.

The district dates back to the Oberamt Tübingen in the state of Württemberg.

The coat of arms show the banner (gonfalon) of the Counts of Tübingen.

In contrast to the coat of arms of the city Tübingen, it is depicted on a spear.

The red-and-white colors are chosen to represent the County Hohenberg, which belonged to Austria.