Ashford has a school, basic shops, churches, and recreation and entertainment facilities provide the essentials. It is the hub of a large agricultural area, an active retirement community, and regional tourism. Local attractions include Pindari Dam on the Severn River, MacIntyre Falls, and Ashford Caves at Kwiambal National Park.
The town was the seat of the Ashford Shire before amalgamation with adjacent shires including Inverell and Macintyre Shire. The tobacco farms that were a primary industry in the area have all disappeared and the coalmine has closed. Farms in the area today produce mostly Merinowool and beef cattle.