Missouri's 5th congressional district has been represented in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, the former Mayor of Kansas City, since 2005.

The district primarily consists of the inner ring of the Kansas City metropolitan area, including nearly all of Kansas City and some of its suburbs in Clay and Jackson counties, including North Kansas City, Gladstone, Independence, Lee's Summit, and some of Blue Springs.

Before 2023, the district stretched east to Marshall and included Lafayette, Ray, and Saline counties.

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties, townships, and municipalities:[3] Clay County (11) Jackson County (12) The 5th congressional district has historically included most of Jackson County and parts of neighboring counties made up of urban and suburban areas.

After the 2010 census, the district was redrawn.