It is located in the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia, comprising the western and central part of the city of Bochum.

The constituency has been held by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) during all but two Bundestag terms since its creation.

It was first represented by Erich Ollenhauer of the SPD 1949 until 1953, when it was won by Franzjosef Müser of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for two terms.

Heinrich Deist regained it for the SPD in 1961 and served a single term.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.