The district was created when South Dakota achieved statehood on November 2, 1889, electing two members.

Following the 1910 United States census a third seat was gained, with the legislature drawing three separate districts.

As a result of the redistricting cycle after the 1980 census, the second seat was eliminated, creating a single at-large district.

Incumbent U.S. Representative Bill Janklow resigned the seat on January 20, 2004, after he was convicted of second-degree manslaughter, triggering a special election.

The general election was also viewed as one of the most competitive in the country, but was overshadowed in the state by the highly competitive U.S. Senate race between Democrat Tom Daschle and Republican John Thune, which Thune narrowly won.