The district of Thiruvarur was created as a separate district on 01.01.97 by carving out 1 Block (Valangaiman Taluk) from Thanjavur District and 9 Blocks ( Thiruvarur, Nannilam, Kudavasal, Needamangalam, Mannargudi, Thirutturaippundi Taluks ) from composite Nagapattinam District. The city of Thiruvarur is the administrative headquarters of the district.
The district lies in the Cauvery delta region and agriculture is the main occupation.
The predominant agriculture based industries in Tiruvarur District are modern rice milling, palm oil refinery, poultry, live stock and coir based.