Historically, Samba was believed to be established in 1400 A.D. As per locals, the younger son of Rai Saidu of Lakhanpur named Malh Dev was the founder of the place Samba, who also married into the Ghotar family, a local tribesman. After his marriage he mostly used to stay at Samba and gradually made himself the master of the tract with Samba as the capital. Then in 1816 A.D during the period of Hari Dev, Samba automatically came under the supremacy of Jammu. After sometime in 1822, the younger brother of Raja Gulab Singh called Suchet Singh was declared the Raja of Bandralta and Samba as well. For the very beginning Samba has been very famous for its 22 Mandies, established by Raja Suchet Singh because of whom the place got its prominent Samba fort. In 1846 A.D it was annexed to Jammu and Kashmir by Maharaja Gulab Singh by making it an important part of the state. As a separate district, Samba was emerged on 22nd May, 2007 with the help of Government order No. 1345 GAD of 2006 dated 27.10.2006.

Lala Mulk Raj Saraf was a well known Indian journalist and writer. He is famous for his contribution in Urdu Journalism. His main works are Meri Pakistan Yatra, Insaniyat Abhi Zinda Hai and Nagooh-e-Ranvir. He was the writer of a number of articles also. He was rewarded with the prestigious Padam Shri Award in 1976.

Geographically, the district has a total 921 sq km. area and occupies the rank 18th in State and 603rd in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 32°55'N latitude, 75°11'E longitude and 1002 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 35.99% forest area of total geographical area. It is bounded by Udhampur District in the North, Jammu District in the North West, Kathua District in the South East and Punjab in the South West. River Basantar is the major river of the district. Purmandal Bridge separates this district from Jammu District. The climate of the district remains hot and dry in summer and cold in winter. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1081.0 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district has 1 sub-district. Moreover, it has 6 towns and 345 villages. Urdu is its official language. The district came in the existence on 22nd May, 2007 with the allotted district code of 22. It has administrative headquarters at Jammu town which is situated at a distance of 296 kms from the capital of the state.

Demographically, according to the 2015 census, the district has a total number of 62,817 households with the total population of 3,18,898 out of which 1,69,124 are males and 1,49,774 are females which is leading it to the rank 15th in the state and 567th in India. The population density of the district is 353 (persons as per sq km.). The district has a sex ratio of 886 (females as per 1000 males) and child ratio of 779 (females as per 1000 males). According to the 2011 census, the principal languages in the district are Dogri with 84.53% and Hindi with 8.71%. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 86.33% of the total population. The population growth rate in the district during the period 2001-2011 was 30.15% including 30.52% were males and 29.75% were females. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 3,193 out of which 1,704 were males and 1,489 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 2,040 out of which 1,160 were males and 880 were females.

Economically, the district is dependent on both agriculture as well as industries. Small scale industries are also available here. Tourism is also a good source of income here. Maximum people of this district are recruited in Indian defense forces.

The district has a total literates of 11,37,135 including 6,41,916 are males and 4,95,219 are females. According to 2011 census, the literacy rate in the district is 58.15% including 68.38% are males and 46.59% are females. The district also has several educational institutes including schools and colleges. Kendriya Vidyalaya, M.V. International School, Govt. Middle School, Govt. High School are some of the main schools here. R. K. Society for Urban and Rural Development, Saraswati Education Trust, Adarash Educational Trust, J. K. Secular Public Trust, Smt. Rattana Devi Gopal Dass Memorial Trust, Vimal Muni Adarash Education Society, K.C. Minerva Educational Trust and K.C. Minerva Educational Trust are the name of other educational institutes.

Chander Prakash Ganga belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Currently, he is serving as a cabinet minister in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. He also became the member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Vijapur in Samba district. Babu Parmanand was the governor of Haryana from 1999 to 2004. In 1962, he became the member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency. He was appointed as the speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 1980.

The district has many historical and religious tourist places to visit. The name of these places is Mansar Lake, Purmandal, Utterbahni, Baba Sidh Goria Temple, Baba Chamlyal, Baba Goran Shrine and Shri Narsingh Dev Ji Temple. Mansar Lake, situated on the Samba-Udhampur Road at a distance of almost 22 km. from the Samba town is enclosed by some small hills with different temples of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, allures a huge number of tourists from various parts of the country. Purmandal, a pious place located at a distance of 39 km. away from Jammu and also connected with the Samba region via Purmandal-Utterbani-Vijaypur road is well known as "Chotta Kashi" since it has old Shiva temples. The temple is very significant from religious point of view and surrounded by the Shivalik Hills that possess a natural beauty. Kali Mata temple in the main bazaar of Samba and also Chichi Mata temple, one of the shaktipeeths where Goddess Sati's little finger fell attracts numerous travellers every year.