In 1872, three representatives-at-large were elected, but by the act of March 2, 1874, the legislature divided the state into three districts.

The 2nd congressional district was composed of the counties of Montgomery, Wilson, Labette, Cherokee, Crawford, Neosho, Bourbon, Allen, Anderson, Linn, Miami, Franklin, Johnson, Douglas and Wyandotte.

On March 5, 1883, Governor George Washington Glick approved an act of the legislature which reduced the 2nd congressional district to only include the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Miami, Franklin, Anderson, Linn, Allen and Bourbon.

Although the 1890 U.S. census showed the population of Kansas to be large enough to entitle the state to eight representatives, no additional district was created until 1905.

By the act of March 9, 1905, the state was divided into eight districts with the 2nd Congressional district being composed of the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Miami, Franklin, Anderson, Linn, Allen and Bourbon.

Reapportionment in 2012 meant that the entirety of Lawrence was moved to the 2nd congressional district.

Following redistricting after the 2000 U.S. census,[4] there were 672,102 people, 257,856 households, and 173,309 families residing in the district.

26.73% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.63% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The largest employment by industry was: educational, health and social services, 24.5%; manufacturing, 12.3%; and retail trade, 11.4%.