It also includes most of the Mesabi & Vermilion iron ranges, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in the Superior National Forest.

The district is best known for its mining, agriculture, tourism, and shipping industries.

For many decades, the district reliably voted Democratic, but in 2016, Republicans made strong gains and Donald Trump carried the district by a 15-point margin.

In the 2018 midterm election, it was one of only three congressional districts in the country which flipped to Republican.

86% of those in the 0-4 year old bracket are non-Hispanic white, compared to less than 50% of the nation at large.