Mansi live mainly in the Khanty Mansisky Autonomous Okrug and in the south west of the Sverdloyskaya Oblast, along the rivers Sosva, Konda, Lozva, Pelym, Sosva, Tavda, between the Urals and the Ob and Irtysh rivers.

Mansi number approximately 11500. For the Mansi, reindeer husbandry has been an important secondary occupation to fishing and hunting. Seasonal shifts from summer to winter locations have long been the norm.

They have managed to maintain their traditional livelihoods most particularly in the northerly parts of their region. They are closely related to Khanty whom they live alongside.