[3] The district took its name from the mining city of Mount Isa, which held the great majority of the electorate's population.

Following the implementation of one vote one value reforms in 1989, Mount Isa was one of five remote electorates that were allowed a greater variance from the average seat's population.

The seat was held by the conservative parties for all but two terms in the first two decades of its existence, mostly coinciding with the height of National dominance.

The elder Katter had represented much of what had been Mount Isa for almost three decades; much of the eastern portion had been part of the elder Katter's state seat of Flinders, and Mount Isa was virtually coextensive with the western portion of Kennedy.

The younger Katter was reelected with a similar margin in 2015, despite the Labor Party returning to government.