It is Indonesia's least populous regency, with 25,584 inhabitants recorded in the 2020 census;[2] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 27,470 (comprising 14,567 males and 12,903 females).

The period of tribal kingdoms, also referred to as "ancient Tidung", ended with the marriage of Queen Ikenawai and Radja Laoet from the Sultanate of Sulu in 1557.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the Tidung Kingdom was one of the area's major regional powers, together with the Sultanate of Bulungan.

A most notable event was a royal marriage between the Sultan of Bulungan and two princesses, one from Berau and one from Tidung.

[6] The last king of Tidung, Datoe Adil, adopted anti-Dutch policies and opposed monopolies over goods in the region imposed by the Dutch.

[6] This caused disputes in internal matters, resulting in Bulungan invading Tidung with the help of the Dutch in 1916.

[15] The desire of the Tidung people to have their own regency dated back to early 2000 after the fall of Suharto and the rapid decentralization that followed.

The regency's soil composition is dominated by ultisol and inceptisol and is generally unsuitable for large-scale agriculture.

[1] The regency seat, the town of Tideng Pale, is located in the Sesayap District.

The Tana Tidung Regency is a second-level administrative division equivalent to a city.

Heads of districts are appointed directly by the regent on the recommendation of the regency secretary.

[25] The regency is part of the 2nd North Kalimantan electoral district which has nine of the 35 representatives on the provincial parliament.

On a local level, the regency is divided into two electoral districts that have a total of 20 representatives.

[26] The regency's economy is dominated by agriculture, which is responsible for 31.40% of its gross regional product as of 2020.

Another significant sector is construction and administration services, with contributions of 17.79% and 10.54% gross regional product, respectively.

The fastest growing sector in 2020 was electricity and gas with a 12.47% increase, while mining showed a sharp decline of 5.03% in the same year.

A majority of the population in the regency is Tidung people, with the minorities including Dayaks, Malays, and Buginese migrants.

It is in Tideng Pale, Sesayap District, and classified as a C-class hospital by the Ministry of Health.

[2] The regency government provided free internet using WiFi hotspots in public spaces and parks coordinating with the Ministry of Communication and Information.

[32] Another means of transportation is speed boat from Tideng Pale Port, which has regular routes to the city of Tarakan.