The Council originally formed as a Parish Council in 1896 and was changed to a Town Council in April 1992. The Town Council consists of 11 Councillors, one of which is elected annually to serve as Chairman and it also has the benefit of one part-time employee, the Town Clerk who works from the Town Council Office at Station Road, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton DT10 2RG, With a population of some 2,660 Stalbridge is the smallest Town in Dorset covering some 5,883 acres (9 square miles). It is bounded to the North by the County Boundary with Somerset, to the East by the River Stour, to the South by the River Lydden and to the West by the Parishes of Stourton and Purse Caundle. It lies within the Blackmore Vale, long renowned for its agriculture.

​At the present time there are some 48 Listed Buildings in the Town, the centre of which is a Conservation Area. There are also a further 19 Listed Buildings in the hamlet of Stalbridge Weston. Most of the buildings, dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries, are constructed of grey limestone and some still retain their original stone tiled roofs. The listed Market Cross, built of golden Ham Hill stone in the 15th Century, stands in the High Street and is known for being one of the best preserved Market Crosses in the South of England. Thornhill House, built by Sir James Thornhill, the great artist, in 1730, with later additions, stands to the South of the Town.

Stalbridge High Street contains a number of retail outlets including a supermarket, Post Office, Chemist and Vintage Tool shop, a Pre-School, a Primary School and 2 Churches. There is a large free Car Park conveniently situated in Station Road which also serves the well stocked branch of The Stalbridge Community Library and is convenient for the neighbouring Doctors' Surgery.

The Stalbridge Hall is a large complex building consisting of the Main Hall, Community Hall and Youth Area. The main hall was built in 1974, it has a sprung maple floor, large stage area, a lounge area and a good size kitchen with large cooker and fridge, it has seating capacity for 200 and will support 300 people for other events. We can also offer a fully licensed bar if required.The Community Hall was added in 1995 with a small kitchenette facility, it has seating capacity for 100 and will support 150 for other events.The Youth Area was built in 2006 mainly for the Youth Club, but also provides an excellent place for meetings and small activity events.  Click on the picture of the hall to go to the web site. 
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There is a Playing Field of some ten acres consisting of one full size and one junior football pitch, one cricket pitch and an 'all weather' playing surface which provides facilities for tennis. Within the Playing Field there is a fenced off Children's Play Area. The whole field lies within 'Stalbridge Park Wall' to the West of the Town. There is a further facility known as Jarvis Field Play Area to the south east which caters for those living some distance from the main Playing Fields.

The A357 Road passes through Stalbridge. The nearest railway station is at Templecombe, some 3 miles to the north, which is on the London Waterloo to Plymouth line. There are regular bus services to Sherborne (7 miles) and Yeovil (13 miles) plus additional services to Wincanton, Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Blandford. Economically Stalbridge is more closely linked to Somerset rather than Dorset i.e. Westlands and associated companies in Yeovil, various small firms at Wincanton and Templecombe. However, there are two industrial sites within the parish boundary. One of 17 acres off of Station Road and the other at Gibbs Marsh of 19 acres. This is situated to the North East of the parish beside the Henstridge Airfield which, although in Somerset, also provides a number of employment opportunities.

​As previously mentioned the Town Council owns TheHub@Stalbridge in Station Road adjacent to the car park. This is a multi-purpose centre encompassing Stalbridge Community Library,  The Community Information Office and access point with meeting rooms and the Town Clerks’ office. The Town Council hold their main meeting at 4 weekly intervals interspersed with fortnightly Planning Meetings (when required). All meetings are open to the public and the press.

In general Stalbridge has an unhurried and friendly atmosphere that tends to disguise the fact that it is also a vibrant working community.