Samford was occupied by the indigenous people who named it Kupidabin, an Aboriginal word from the Waka language, meaning 'place of possums'.

[5] Samford's very first inhabitants were an aboriginal tribe which belonged to the Waka language group, whose territory also included the upper Brisbane River and the South Burnett.

[7] Although Samford is closer to Brisbane than most acreage areas in the City of Moreton Bay, the secluded valleys of the upper reaches of the South Pine River were not settled by Europeans until the mid-1850s.

[citation needed] By 1908, banana growing on the steep ridges at the foot of the ranges had become one of the most important industries in the Samford district.

[citation needed] After World War 1, the government created additional small farms so that returned servicemen with limited capital were able to get started in the industry.

[12] After the subdivision of farms into acreage homesites commenced in the 1960s, with substantial upgrading of road access completed more recently, many of Samford's residents commute to work in Brisbane.

Samford's heritage as a village servicing farming communities is apparent from the facilities which include an equipment hire business, hardware and produce stores, as well as banking, shopping, medical, chiropractic, fitness, legal and accounting.

[14] Located in the heart of the village, John Scott Park is the frequent venue of community cultural activities such as free concerts and holiday celebrations.

The Moreton Bay City Council operates a mobile library service which visits John Scott Park on Station Street.

[16] Some of the local sports played in and around town include swimming, horse riding, soccer, football, cricket, netball, tennis, archery and lawn bowls.

The Council is planning a sport and recreation facility that will become a major resource for the residents of Samford Valley and the Moreton Bay region.

[citation needed] The Samford Support Network is a group of volunteers providing a variety of services to community members who are ill, elderly, living with a disability, or struggling.