Oregon's 5th congressional district

Oregon's 5th congressional district represents Oregon's central coast through Salem, north to the southern Portland suburbs, and east to the summit of Mount Hood. It includes Lincoln, Marion, Polk, and Tillamook counties, most of Clackamas County, and part of Benton and Multnomah counties.

The district is currently represented by Democrat Kurt Schrader, who was elected in 2008 to replace the retiring Darlene Hooley. This marked the first time in the district's history that a new representative had the same party affiliation as the outgoing representative.

History

The district was created in 1982 when Oregon was granted a new congressional district as a result of reapportionment from the 1980 census. Denny Smith, who had represented Oregon's 2nd congressional district in the previous Congress, was re-elected in the 5th district in 1982.

In 2002, the district shrank slightly in area due to redistricting. About half of the portion of the district that had been in Benton County, Oregon was moved into the 4th district and portions of west-central Clackamas County were moved into the 3rd district. At the same time, small portions of northern Clackamas and southern Multnomah County that had previously been part of the 1st district were moved into the 5th district.