The district is situated on the northern bank of the Elbe River. While Pinneberg is the smallest district within Schleswig-Holstein, it has the most inhabitants. Due to the growing Hamburg metropolitan area the population is still increasing. The district consists mainly of the northwestern suburbs of Hamburg. Although the district of Pinneberg has no access to the sea, the islet of Helgoland is a part of this district.
The coat of arms displays a pine tree inside a white nettle-leaf. The leaf is from the arms of the county of Holstein-Schauenburg. The tree is symbolising the forestry in the district.
