Kingsteignton was widely rumoured to be the biggest village in England with a population of over 11,000 with more inhabitants than many of Devon's towns. In 1982 the parish council decided that to protect its identity as a separate community Kingsteignton should become a town. The decision to change its status annoyed many residents and a referendum was held which saw its village status restored. Kingsteignton contains all the facilities every village needs, from post office, library, petrol station to public houses, restaurants, and a large hotel, together with the friendly locals, Kingsteignton is a gem.

Founded in the early eighth century as the centre of a vast Saxon estate between Teignmouth and Manaton, it was a key settlement providing rich pickings for Danish raiders who came in 1001. Kingsteignton is situated at the head of the Teign estuary, the village is the long established centre of the clay industry. Medieval prosperity funded the re-building of the parish church in the 15th Century, its 85 foot tower being constructed in the 1480s. From the medieval period to the mid-19th Century the parish church held an important position as the mother church of Highweek and Newton Bushell. The springs at Rydon were the only established water supply in the Middle Ages.

A drought in the Middle Ages is said to have given rise to the annual Ram Roasting fair. With insufficient water to baptise a child, a ram was sacrificed to the gods of the local spring. Water sprang forth and a ram has been roasted ever since at the fair, held each Whit Monday.

In 1509 the Manor of Kingsteignton, which had been a crown demense until the 13th century, passed into the hands of the Clifford family who still hold the title of Lord of the Manor.

A quirk of geology deposited fine quality ball clays on the eastern edge of the Bovey Basin some 30 - 40 million years ago. Their exploitation was boosted in 1791 when Josiah Wedgewood first purchased Kingsteignton clay. Over the past 200 years clay mining has brought continued employment and prosperity to the village.

On 1st January 2009, Kingsteignton became a town.