The Longford region was the traditional land of The Panninher (par-nin-her) clan of the North Midlands Nation.

In 1806 the first Europeans, Jacob Mountgarrett and Ensign Hugh Piper, passed through the area, and in the following year Lieutenant Thomas Laycock camped near the current site of the town[3] during his overland journey from Launceston to Hobart.

Settlers started to arrive in 1807 as farmers were moved from Norfolk Island to Van Diemen's Land (the original name used by Europeans for Tasmania).

Governor Macquarie granted land rights to the settlers, who originally called the area Norfolk Plains.

[5] Prominent among the early settlers, the Archer family built a number of grand houses and estates in the area.

Tasmania is the only Australian state that has banned the use of Hormonal Growth Promotants (HGPs) in cattle, so the plant guarantees its products are free of HGP.

[19] Selborne Biological Services runs a biotechnology manufacturing facility in Longford, producing bovine serum and other blood products such as polyclonal antisera and protein fractions, destined for the biotech, pharmaceutical, veterinary, and diagnostics industries.

[20] For the same reasons, International Therapeutic Proteins has farms with manufacturing facility for antitoxins and other biologics in Longford.

It includes equestrian events, poultry and dog shows, chopping and tree felling, sheep and fleeces, rides and games, as well as displays of artwork from local schools.

[25] From 1953 to 1968, two Australian Grand Prix, several Tasman Cup races and touring car and motorcycle championship were organized on the 4.5 miles (7.2 km) Longford Circuit.