[4] Ashland was incorporated on March 8, 1871, and has a Mayor-Aldermen form of government.

The Benton County Courthouse, the focus of the town's main square, was constructed in 1873.

Many of Ashland's earliest residents had relocated from Salem, an older community to the west that had been destroyed during the Civil War.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ashland has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2), all land.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of 2018, the mayor of Ashland is Mitch Carroll, and Sandra Gresham, Greg Thompson, Mark Ehrie, and Rocky Miller, make up the Board of Aldermen.