The parish had a population of 3,737 in 2021 [2] and includes the smaller village of Over Stratton and the hamlets of Compton Durville, Drayton, Wigborough and Yeabridge.

[6] A site on Lightgate Road, north of the present village, has produced Iron Age occupation material, though archaeological evidence of any structures have not yet been discovered.

In 1213 a royal warrant by King John was granted for a market and fair, but by 1243 the main manor had been granted away from the Crown under Henry II and by 1243 South Petherton manor was owned outright by the Daubeney family, who continued to hold it until the late 15th century,[7] the family dying out after Henry Daubeney acquired the earldom of Bridgwater and then failed to produce an heir to succeed him.

[7] It was also recently discovered that South Petherton was, during the 17th century, one of the main centres of bronze cauldron and skillet production.

[13] As a civil parish, South Petherton has its own parish council with responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny.

Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

Since July 2024 the MP is Adam Dance,[14] a member of the Liberal Democrats and a resident of the village, and parish and county councillor.

South Petherton is the most populous area the ward, which also includes Shepton Beauchamp and Seavington St. Mary.

3 miles (4.8 km) to the east, on the other side of the Parrett valley, is Ham Hill, the source of much of the village's building stone.

[17] In the summer the Azores high pressure affects the south-west of England, however convective cloud sometimes forms inland, reducing the number of hours of sunshine.

In summer, a large proportion of the rainfall is caused by sun heating the ground leading to convection and to showers and thunderstorms.

[23] The 15th or 16th century Wigborough Manor House was never completed to its original plans and has subsequently been modified many times;[12] it is a grade I listed building.

[25] The "David Hall" (located in the old United Reformed Church) is a local social centre run by the Petherton Arts Trust, a non-profit making organisation formed in 1986 and registered as a charity in 1990.

[27] During 2007 Somerset Primary Care Trust consulted local residents about proposals for the redevelopment of South Petherton Community Hospital, which provides Out Patient Assessment and Reablement services.

[39] It was named after Thomas Coke, who was curate of the village 1772-76 and important, along with John Wesley, amongst the founders of Methodism.

[40] The village also has a Roman Catholic church, dedicated to St Michael, located on Lightgate Road.

[42] The Recreation Ground provides pitches for football and cricket clubs and there are also facilities for tennis and bowls and a children's play area.

The Vaux Park Polo Club are based at Wigborough Manor, using the grounds of the house, which is situated in the southeast corner of the parish.