Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district is located in central Massachusetts, encompassing much of Franklin, Hampshire, and Worcester counties, as well as small portions of Middlesex and Norfolk Counties. The largest municipalities in the district include Worcester (which is the second-largest city in New England after Boston), Leominster, Amherst, Shrewsbury, and Northampton. Democrat Jim McGovern has represented the district since 2013; he previously represented the 3rd district since 1997.

Cities and towns represented

As of the 2021 redistricting, the 2nd district includes 68 municipalities: Franklin County (22) Hampshire County (9) Middlesex County (3) Norfolk County (1) Worcester County (33)

History of District Boundaries

1795 to 1803

Known as the 2nd Western District.

1803 to 1813

Known as the "Essex North" district.

1813 to 1833

Known as the "Essex South" district. From 1813-1815, the district was shaped in such a way that poet and Federalist Richard Alsop described it as a "Gerry-mander" (a portmanteau of Gerry—the governor at the time—and salamander). Illustrator Elkanah Tisdale subsequently used the term as the basis for a political cartoon, which popularized it and led to "gerrymandering" being used to describe the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to gain a political advantage.

1843 to 1853

The Act of September 16, 1842, established the district on the North Shore and New Hampshire border, with the following municipalities:

1860s

"Parts of the counties of Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth."

1870s–1900s

1903 to 1913

During this decade, the district contained the following municipalities:

1913 to 1923

During this decade, the district contained the following municipalities:

1920s–2002

2003 to 2013

During this decade, the district contained the following municipalities:

2013 to 2023

After the 2010 census, the shape of the district changed for the elections of 2012. The updated district covered central Massachusetts, including much of Worcester County, and was largely the successor to the old 3rd District. Most of the old 2nd district, including Springfield, was moved into the updated 1st district. During this decade, the district contained the following municipalities:

Recent statewide election results

List of members representing the district

Recent election results

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020