Historically, Koppal was earlier called as Kopana, a notable holy place of the Jainas. Shathavahanas, Gangas, Hoysalas and Chalukya Dynasties ruled the place for a definite period of time and during their rule this region flourished in almost all the fields. There are two Ashokan inscriptions at Palkigundu and Gavimatha. It was the capital of a branch of Shilaharas under the Chalukya’s of Kalyan. During King Nrupathunga's time in 814-878 AD., the great poet Kaviraja marga, mentioned Koppal in his poetic work ‘Viditha Maha Kopana Nagara’. It was called "Jainkashi" too because it was a major holy place of the Jainas. In 1857 revolt, Mundargi Bheema Rao and Hammige Kenchanagouda died fighting the British. Kinhal, located at a distance of 13 km. away from Koppal is famous for its traditional colourful lacquer ware work.

Dr. Panchakshari Hiremath, a distinguished writer and noted poet, short story writer, essayist, critic, translator, orator, editor and freedom fighter was born at Bisarahalli in the Koppal district in the year 1933. He writes in Kannada, Urdu and Hindi. In 2005, he won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for translation and many others. He has worked as a professor in Karnataka University and Karnataka College. Meka Srikanth is another famous personality. He is a Telugu film actor. He has won two state Nandi Awards, and one Filmfare Award South. He has worked in National Award winning films ‘Swarabhishekam’ of 2004. His film ‘Virodhi’ and ‘Sri Rama Rajyam’ were premiered at the 2011 International Film Festival of India.

Geographically, the district has 5,570 sq. kms. geographical area and occupies the ranks 16th in State and 194th in India on the basis of this size. According to year 2021, there was a total 0.65% forest area of the total geographical area. It lies at 15°54'N latitude, 76°27'E longitude and 526 m altitude. The climate of the district remains pleasant almost throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 804.1 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administrative wise, the district is divided into 4 sub-districts. Moreover, it has 5 towns and 595 villages. The district of Koppal came into existence on the 1st April, 1998, in the state of Karnataka with an allotted district code of 560. Koppal is its district Headquarters which is located at a distance of 352 kms. from the State Capital. Kannada is its official language.

Demographically, according to 2011 census, the district is home to a total number of 2,59,396 households with a total of 13,89,920 including 6,99,926 are males and 6,89,994 are female. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 16.21% including 16.01% are males and 16.40% are females. The density of population of the district is 250 persons per sq. kms. The sex ratio is pegged at 986 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 958 (females per 1000 males). As per 2011 census the percentage of major religions practiced by the people of this region is Hindu at 87.63% and Muslim at 11.64%. In the year 2011, the percentage of principal languages of the region is Kannada at 84.08% and Urdu at 7.34%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 29,971 out of which 15,584 were males and 14,387 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 10,257 out of which 6,198 were males and 4,059 were females.

Economically, agriculture is the backbone of the district. In the year 2019-20 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 19,06,396 lakhs at current price and Rs. 13,24,652 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 16,67,580 lakh at current price and Rs. 11,32,081 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 1,10,886 at current price and Rs. 75,278 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate in the district is 68.09% out of which 78.54% are males and 57.55% are females. The total literate population of the district is 8,09,085 including 4,68,785 are males and 3,40,300 are females. The district has primary, higher and secondary schools and graduate colleges.

The district has famous political personality as Karadi Sanganna Amarappa. He belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party. He is a member of the Parliament at current time. He won the Indian general elections of 2014 from the Koppal.

During the year 2016, there were 2,756 foreign tourists and 28,90,773 domestic tourists who visited historical or religious places of the district. These famous places are such as Anegundi, Mahadeva Temple, Kinnal, Kanakagiri, Malimallappa Hill, Koppal Fort, Kukanoor, Munirabad and Pura. Kukaoor has the Kashivishvanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple, which are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. Other well known temples are the Parameshwara temple, Brahmadeva temple, the Settavva, Kontigudi II, Jadaragudi and Ambigeragudi temples at Aihole, Mallikarjuna temple at Ron, Andhakeshwara temple at Huli, Someshwara templel, Jain temples, Navalinga Temple, Kumaraswamy temple, and the Trikunteshwara temple. The Mahadeva temple is a temple, belongs to Lord Shiva. It was built by the Western Chalukyas 1112 CE. The main temple is ‘linga’ which is surrounded by thirteen minor shrines. Each has its own linga. The temple has two other shrines, dedicated to Murthinarayana and Chandraleshwari, parents of Mahadeva.