The state was granted a fifth representative by Congress following the 1850 census.
From 1853 to 1855, the fifth representative was elected at-large instead of by district, favoring majority voters.
Although the boundaries of the fifth congressional district were altered after every census, it covered the Gulf Coast region and most of the Pine Belt region in southeastern Mississippi from 1993 to 2003.
It included all of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Pearl River, Perry, and Stone counties as well as a portion of Wayne County.
Incumbent Gene Taylor, who had represented the district since a special election in 1989, easily won re-election.