The civil parish had a total of 2,788 residents at the time of the 2011 census,[1] though Exelby had only 80 homes.

[3] In the 1086 Domesday Book Exelby is noted as Aschilebi, with only one man but 20 ploughlands, and in the North Riding's Land of Count Alan.

In 1066 Merleswein the Sheriff was Lord of the Manor, which by 1086 had been transferred to Robert of Moutiers, with Count Alan of Brittany as Tenant-in-chief.

It was revamped and renamed Exelby Green Dragon (EGD), reopening in December 2018.

The pub also acts as a community hub, accommodating local groups and serving as a base for a folk club.