Imphal West as a separate district came into existence on 18th June, 1997. The district was created from the earlier Imphal district by shifting all the villages and towns of the Imphal West I and Imphal West II sub-divisions vide Government of Manipur (Secretariat) Revenue Department Order No. 6/1/73-R(Pt-VIII) dated 17th June,1997 under the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act of 1960. After the creation of the district, Imphal West I sub-division was divided into Lamshang sub-division and Patsoi sub-division whereas Imphal West II Sub-Division was also divided into Lamphelpat sub-division and Wangoi sub-division under the same notification.

Ngangbam Soniya Chanu is an Indian Woman Weightlifter who participated in the Commonwealth Games of 2010 and won the silver medal. Bala Hijam is a Manipuri film actress who has performed in over 40 films. Bala Hijam received the the Best Actress Award in 2013 at 8th Manipur State Film Festival for her role in the film Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba. Thoiba Singh is an Indian field hockey player and representative of India at the Olympics and Asian Games.

Geographically, the district has a total area of 519 sq. km. and occupies the rank 7th in State and 612nd in India on the basis of the size. It lies at 24082' N latitude, 93092' E longitude and 790 m altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 7.24% forest area of total geographical area. It is surrounded by Senapati District on the North, by Imphal East and Thoubal districts on the East, by Thoubal and Bishnupur Districts on the South, and by Senapati and Bishnupur Districts on the West. Some of the principal rivers like Imphal river, Nambul river and their tributaries flow through the district. 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 1751.9 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district has 4 sub-divisions namely Lamphalphat, Patsoi, Lamsang and Wangoi these 4 sub-divisions are further divided into 10 circles such as Lamphelpat, Patsoi, Konthoujam, Salam, Lamsang, Sekmai, Hiyangthang, Lilong Chajing, Wangoi and Mayang Imphal. The district also comprises 13 towns and 124 villages. Meiteilon (Manipuri) is its official language. In the state of Manipur with an allotted district code of 277th district of Thoubal came into existence on 18th June, 1997 with its administrative headquarters located at Lamphelpat, situated at a distance of 7 kms from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 1,11,393 households with a total population of 5,17,992 comprising 2,55,054 are males and 2,62,938 are females which causing it to rank 1st in the state and 545th in India. The density of population of the district is 998 (persons per sq km.). The sex ratio is pegged at 1031 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 949 (females per 1000 males). Furthermore, the district has projected population of 6,31,686 comprising 3,11,505 males and 3,20,181 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,041 females and a child sex ratio of 953 females per 1,000 males. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 16.56% including 15.00% were males and 18.12% were females. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 15,559 out of which 8,228 were males and 7,327 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 3,689 out of which 2,476 were males and 1,213 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 74.81% of he total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Manipuri with 90.90%.

Economically, the district is dependent on agriculture primarily. The district is placed first according to the "District Infrastructure Index " calculated under the patronage of Ministry of North East Region(DoNER). There are several small scale industries such as handloom, handicrafts, blacksmithy, jewellery, cane and bamboo works, wooden furniture, saw mill, rice and flour mill, iron and steel works, repairing of cycles and automobiles, tailoring and embroidery, tyre retreating and vulcanizing industries. Medium scale industry for instance spinning mill is also available here. In the year 2006-2007 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 1,99,057 lakh at current price and Rs. 1,70,083 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2006-2007 was Rs. 1,78,314 lakh at current price and Rs. 1,54,976 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2006-2007 was Rs. 37,110 at current price and Rs. 4,805 at constant 1999-2000 prices.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate is 86.08% out of which 92.24% are males and 80.17% are females. The total literate population of the district is 3,92,626 including 2,05,985 are males and 1,86,641 are females. The total number of illiterates in the district is 1,25,366 including 49,069 are males and 76,297 are females. In addition, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period July 2023-June 2024 estimated literacy rate in the district is 95.09% including 97.56% are males and 92.84% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

D. M. College of Science, DM College of Arts, R K Sanatombi Devi Vidyalaya, National Institute of Technology, Manipur University, LMS Law College, Government Polytechnic, Government Dance College, Institute of Cooperative Management, Bengali High School, Bengoon High Madrassa, Don Bosco High School, Little Millennium Colleges, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Central Agricultural University are some of the main educational institutions in the district.

Dr. Thokchom Meinya is the representative of Inner Manipur constituency for second time consecutively. He belongs to the Indian National Congress (INC) political party.

In the year of 2019-20, there were total 70,751 domestic tourists and 9,704 foreign tourists who visited here. The district has several famous tourist places to visit. These places are Manipur State Museum, Saheed Minar, Zoological Garden at Iroisenba, Khonghampat Orchidarium, Langthabal Old Palace, Indo Burma Road, Ima Market, Khwairanband Bazar, Nupi Lal Complex.