On 28th October, 1976 the Khasi Hills district was bifurcated into two districts namely East Khasi Hills district and West Khasi Hills district. On 4th June, 1992 East Khasi Hills District was further divided into two more administrative districts likewise East Khasi Hills district and Ri-Bhoi district. The popular tourist place of the country, Shillong is the district headquarter of East Khasi Hills district.

Aibanbha Kumar Dohling is a footballer. He is a defender player of Shillong Lajong in the I-League. He also played in the team of the under-15, qualified for the final rounds of the Manchester United Premier Cup in 2010. Suzanna Arundhati Roy is a famous Indian author and the Man Booker Prize winner. Her best work is “The God of Small Things”. She is also actively working for human rights and environmental issues.

Geographically, the district has a total area of 2,748 sq. km. and occupies the rank 4th in State and 425th in India on the basis of the size. It lies at 25037' N latitude, 91075' E longitude and 1491 m altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 63.85% forest area of total geographical area. It is surrounded by the Jaintia Hills District in the East and the West Khasi Hills District in the West. The climate of the district remains humid for most of the time in the year except the period from December to March. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 7069.7 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 8 blocks namely Khatarshnong Laitkroh, Mawkynrew, Mawphlang, Mawryngkneng, Mawsynram, Mylliem, Pynsursla and Shella Bholaganj. It has total 13 towns and 975 villages. English is its official language. It has 298th district code. The district came into existence on 28th August, 1976 with its administrative headquarters located at Shillong.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 1,60,832 households with a total population of 8,25,922 comprising 4,10,749 are males and 4,15,173 are females which causing it to rank 1st in the state and 478 in India. The density of population of the district is 301 (persons per sq km.). The sex ratio is pegged at 1011 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 964 (females per 1000 males). Furthermore, the district has projected population of 10,07,204 comprising 5,01,645 males and 5,05,559 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,049 females and a child sex ratio of 888 females per 1,000 males. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 24.96% including 23.14% were males and 26.82% were females. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 30,720 out of which 15,513 were males and 15,207 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 7,352 out of which 4,546 were males and 2,806 were females. As per 2011 census the major religions in the district are Christian and Hindu with 65.79% and 17.55% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Khasi with 75.14%.

Economically, the district is dependent on agriculture primarily. In the year 2007-2008 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 3,04,630 lakh at current price and Rs. 2,24,071 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2007-2008 was Rs. 2,69,008 lakh at current price and Rs. 1,99,822 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2007-2008 was Rs. 37,459 at current price and Rs. 7,181 at constant 1999-2000 prices.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate is 84.15% out of which 84.51% are males and 83.81% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 5,78,030 including 2,87,270 are males and 2,90,760 are females. The total number of illiterates in the district is 2,47,892 including 1,23,479 are males and 1,24,413 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 96.76% including 97.35% are males and 96.22% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

St. Anthony’s College, St. Edmund’s College, St. Mary’s College, Lady Keane College, Lady Keane College, Sankardev College, Shillong College, Synod College, College of Teacher Education (PGT), Shillong Commerce College, Seng Khasi College, Raid Laban College, Women’s College, Sohra Govt. College, Bormanik College, St. Mary’s College of Teacher Education, Khrawsing Christian College, Mawsynram Border Area College, Indian Institute of Professional Studies and Government Boys Higher Secondary School are some of the main educational institutions in the district.

Evansius Kek Mawlong was appointed as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from March 8, 2000, until December 8, 2001. He was the Founding President of the United Democratic Party. Darwin Diengdoh Pugh had honor to be the first Khasi Chief Minister of Meghalaya state of Northeastern India. He also served as the general secretary of All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC). George Gilbert Swell was the former member and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

The district has many famous and beautiful tourist places to visit. These places are Lady Hydari Park, Ward's Lake, Cathedral Catholic Church, Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum, Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, Golf Course, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak.