Historically, the region of Narayanpur was once called as Dandkaranya. Earlier, it was the part of Bastar district. Then, Narayanpur was formed as a separate district in April 2007 by the State Government of Chhattisgarh. In January 2008, 39 villages of Bijapur tehsil and 8 villages of Dantewada tehsil of the Dantewada district were transferred to Narayanpur district. It has referred in the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata also. It was ruled by Satvahans from 72 BC to 200 AD. Nala dynasty rulers, Naga rulers, Chalukya rulers and Gond rulers also dominated the area. At present it is a part of the Red Corridor.

Geographically, the district has total 4,653 sq km. area and occupies the rank 15th in State and 241st in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 19°72'N latitude and 81°24'E longitude and 610 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 81.61% forest area of total geographical area. The climate of the district remains extremely hot and humid during the summers. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1683.7 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administrative wise, it is divided into 2 sub-districts, 1 town and 412 villages. Hindi is its official language. In the state of Chhattisgarh with an allotted district code of 415 the district of Narayanpur came into existence on 11th May, 2007. Its district headquarters is located at Narayanpur, situated at a distance of 234 km. from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011, the district has a total number of 26,953 households with a total of 1,39,820 comprising 70,104 are males and 69,716 are females which led it to rank 18th in the state and 607th in India. The density of population of the district is 30 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is pegged at 994 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 989 (females per 1000 males). As per 2011 census the percentage of major religion practiced by the people of this region is Hindu with 92.38%. According to 2011 census, the percentage of the principal languages of the region is Gondi with 53.89% During the period 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 28.74% including 29.85% were males and 27.64% were females. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 3,898 out of which 1,989 were males and 1,909 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 1,125 out of which 674 were males and 451 were females.

Economically, the main source of income for the people of this region came from agriculture either through cultivation of their own pieces of land or from working as laborers on a daily wage rate or contractual rate on the land of their neighbors or counterparts. A number of small scale industries are also available here.

Education wise, the literacy rate is 48.62% including 57.31% are males and 39.88% are females. The total literate population of the district is 56,621 including 33,449 are males and 23,172 are females.

The district has several famous historical and religious places to visit. These places are Bhoromdeo Temple, Danteshwari Temple, Kanger Valley National Park, Bairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutumsar Cave, Kailash Cave, Chitrakoot Falls, Tirathgarh Waterfall, Bhainsa Darha Lake, Dalpat Sagar and Anthropological Museum. The Chitrakoot and Teerathgarh waterfalls are situated close to Jagdalpur. Danteshwari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari. It is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. It was built by the Chalukyas of the South in the 14th century. Traditionally, Goddess Danteshwari is the Kuldevi of Bastar state. During the Dusshera, thousands of tribal from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess. This 'Bastar Dussehra' festival has become a big attraction for tourists. Anthropological Museum is located in Jagdalpur. It has some archeological findings and tribal props also.