The city of Rayagada was founded by King Vishwanath Dev Gajapati (1527-1531 CE) of the Suryavansh dynasty of Nandapur Kingdom.

It served as the capital of an extensive dominion that stretched from the confines of Bengal to Telangana in the south and was a great center of trade and commerce in the coastal regions of the country.

The population of Rayagada town as per 2011 census is 71,208 out of which male population is 36,036 and female population is 35,172.Rayagada has an average literacy rate of 64%, lower than the national average of 74.4%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 56%[3] The current MLA from Rayagada (ST) assembly constituency is Kadraka Appala Swamy(INC).

Previous MLAs from Rayagada (ST) Assembly Constituency include Makaranda Muduli, an independent candidate, who won the seat in State elections in 2019 and Lalbihari Himirika of BJD who won this seat in 2000.

[4] Shri Jayram Pangi (Biju Janta Dal) won the general election 2009 defeating Dr. Giridhar Gomango (INC) who represented this constituency 9 times.