The district is mostly rural, but much of the economy revolves around the manufacturing centers of Anderson and Greenwood.

With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+21, it is the most Republican district in South Carolina.

Republicans now dominate the district's politics at all levels, usually scoring margins rivaling those in the 4th.

South Carolina's senior Senator, Lindsey Graham, held this seat from 1995 to 2003.

He was succeeded by J. Gresham Barrett, who gave up the seat in order to run for governor.