Zunheboto district is a district of the Nagaland state with its administrative headquarters located at Zunheboto town. The district of Zunheboto derived its name from two sets of words such as "Zunhebo" and "To" in Sumi dialect. The term Zunhebo is taken from the name of a flowering shrub with white leaves which bear sponge like ears containing sweet juice whereas "To" means the top of a hill. Zunheboto district is situated in the heart of the Nagaland state. Zunheboto is the home of the Sumi tribes. Sumis are popularly known as Martial tribe among the Nagas. Zunheboto was emerged as a separate district in the map of Nagaland state in the year 1976.

Geographically, the district lies at 26°01' N latitude and 94°52' E longitude. The altitude in the district is 1874 m. In the year 2021, there was a total 72.38% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 1,255 sq km. and it is bounded by Mokokchung district on the North, Phek district on the South, Tuensang district on the East and Wokha district on the West. It is the abode of Satoi Range, enclosed by 10 villages of Satakha sub-division. It is a perfect destination for ornithologists and bird-watchers. This range is included in the list of Important Bird Area as well as Endemic Bird Area of India. The climate of the district can be characterised as humid subtropical climate. Its climate remains mild throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1382.3 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 4 Rural Development blocks namely Ghathashi, Akuluto, Tokiye and Suruhuto. Moreover, it comprises 13 sub-districts, 2 towns and 191 villages. The administrative language in the district is English.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 1,40,757 including 71,217 are males and 69,540 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 976 (females for every 1000 males) and child ratio of 948 (females per 1000 males). During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was -8.57% including -9.92% were males and -7.15% were females. As 2011 census the major religion in the district is Christian with 97.33% of the total population. The population density in the district is 112 (persons per sq. km.). As per 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Sema with 0.59%. The schedule tribe population in the district are Naga and Sema with 99.88% and Sema with 98.21%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 3,450 out of which 1,704 were males and 1,746 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 109 out of which 82 were males and 27 were females.

The economy of the district is mainly dependent on agricultural sector. Generally, the people of the district practice the procedure of shifting cultivation in the agricultural fields. On the other hand, those who living on the bank of the Tizu River is use to terrace cultivation. More than half of its population are engaged in agricultural activities in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are paddy, maize, millet, French bean, potato, pumpkin, cucumber, chilly, etc. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from agricultural products in the district helps in its economy to a great extent. The district has several horticultural products such as apple, pear, plum, peach, orange, lemon, pomegranate, papaya, sweet lime, banana, guava, mango, litchi, pineapple, etc. But the district is scantily industrialised since it has only a few small scale industries.

The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its most recognised schools are Woodland hr. sec. School, Immanuel School, Olympic hr. sec. School, Love Dale hr. sec. School, Corner Stone Foundation School, Seven Home School, Bloomfield Hill School, New Era School, Sunbeam School, Step By Step School, Merry Hill School, Kids World Montessori, Little Spring School, Sacred Heart School, Bethany School, St. Anthony Catholic School, etc. At present, Nagaland University’s campus is situated in the village of Lumami in the sub division of Akuluto. It is a cultural centre for the people of Nagaland. As per 2011 the literacy rate in the district is 85.26% including 87.85% are males and 82.62% are females. The literate population in the district are 1,02,881 out of which 53,504 are males and 49,377 are females. The illiterate population in the district are 37,876 out of which 17,713 are males and 20,163 are females.

The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of country as well as world. Ghosho Bird Sanctuary, located at a distance of 8 km from Zunheboto district headquarters is a beautiful bird sanctuary that solely maintained by the village community. This sanctuary is the habitat of more than twenty species of endangered birds. Tourists can enjoy the sight of the migratory birds here from the months of June to September. Currently, the nearby village communities have strictly prohibited the earlier rampant habit of hunting and poaching in this sanctuary. Satoi Range, located the middle of the Naga Hill ranges has intact prime forests and deep wooded valleys.