The area has elected Labour MPs since its creation in 1945, on strong majorities of 20.4% of the vote or greater, except for the results in 1983 and 1987.

The Barking Riverside regeneration project aims to create new homes, jobs and services on the site of the former power station.

According to 2011 United Kingdom census data, the seat had the 21st highest proportion of unemployed people amongst constituencies in England and Wales, at 7.4%.

The constituency has benefited from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and its districts include a larger than average proportion of social housing and earners on low incomes.

[5] Ethnicity 2021 Census White – 42.3 Asian – 28.0 Black – 21.6 Mixed – 4.3 Other – 3.6 Religion 2021 Census Christian – 43.7 Muslim – 27.6 Hindu – 2.8 Sikh – 1.8 Following their review of parliamentary representation the Boundary Commission for England recommended that the wards of Alibon, Parsloes and Valence be transferred from the old Dagenham constituency to Barking, and that following a review of ward boundaries a small part of River ward be transferred from Barking to help form the new Dagenham and Rainham constituency.