Lutsk is an old city, probably founded about AD 1000 by Prince Vladimir of Kiev. Later Lutsk became the part of Galicia-Volhynia Principality and until the late 18th century was in Lithuanian Poland, when it fell into Russian hands. Lutsk city belonged to Poland again in 1919-1939. Following the end of the war the remaining Polish inhabitants of the city were expelled, mostly to the Polish Regained Territories. The city became an industrial centre in the Ukrainian SSR. The numerous changes in city demographics meant that by the end of the war the city was almost entirely Ukrainian.

As one of the largest cities of Western Ukraine, in 2003 Lutsk hosted a General Consulate of Poland.

The estimated population was around 206,000 (as of 2007).

The older part of Lutskcity contains the 14th-century Lyubart Castle and a lot fo buildings of old architecture. Three monasteries date from the 16th to the 18th century are here in Lutsk. A teacher-training institute and a medical school are also located in Lutsk.