The village has its own primary school, church, bowling club, community halls, playing field with sports facilities and skate-park, and a variety of businesses.

A Brittonic name,[3] Methven is thought to be derived from words equivalent to Welsh medd "mead", and maen (in this case, mutated to faen) "stone".

Closed since 27 September 1937, the station was originally the western terminus of the Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Railway.

[7] Dr William Marshall born 26 Aug 1834 in Methven was appointed Queen Victoria's resident doctor at Balmoral in 1871.

[8] Sir Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch, a military hero, was born and raised at the family home of Balgowan House in the area and is buried in the large stone vault south of the main church.