[1] Although Idaho's overall population grew by more than 20 percent during the period between 2000 and 2010, more significant growth elsewhere meant the state did not gain extra representation in the House of Representatives, instead remaining at two seats.

The 2010 United States census found that the population of the 1st district, which previously comprised the state's western and northern counties, as well as parts of Ada County including much of western Boise, had 116,278 more residents than the 2nd district, which included the rest of Boise, the Magic Valley region and the state's eastern counties.

This shift in population meant that the 2nd district, currently represented by Republican Mike Simpson, would include more of Ada County beginning in 2012 and up through the 2020 Congressional election.

The commission's January 2012 changes dealt solely with state legislative districts, leaving the original Congressional redistricting plan intact.

[5] Republican Raúl Labrador, who was first elected to represent the 1st district in 2010, will run for re-election.