The district has an area of 2,038 km², and a population 627,818 (2001 census). The population of Datia District increased by 26% from 1981 to 1991, and by 22% from 1991 to 2001. The district has 445 villages and 3 towns, Datia, Seondha, and Bhander. Each town is the headquarters of its tehsil. Datia is bounded by the Madhya Pradesh districts of Bhind to the north, Gwalior to the west, and Shivpuri to the south, and by Jhansi District of Uttar Pradesh state to the east. The district is part of Gwalior Division.

Datia also has some famous temples. 'Peetambra Peeth' is one such temple which attracts a lot of pilgrims, apart from Hanuman garhi. 'Purana Mahal or Datia Mahal' is one good piece of architecture, visible from the railway line passing from Gwalior to Jhansi and was built to welcome King Jahangir after his coronation but the Emperor never came, fearing he would have to give good reward to king of Datia for his help in getting the Moghul throne.

The Datia district comes under the Gangetic drainage system and is drained by the Sind, the Pahuj, the Mahuar and the Betwa. The former two, however form the drainage system of the main body of the district. The rivers are almost seasonal and have heavy run off only during the peak period of July and August in the rainy season. During the dry season most of the streams become dry and water is available only in some channels of the main stream.