New Milford is the largest town in the county, in both landmass and population, with a rich history that includes deep agrarian and industrial roots. It is bounded N. by Kent, E. by Washington, Roxbury and Southbury, S. by Newtown and Brookfield, and W. by New Fairfield and Sherman. Route 7, the main north-south artery in the western portion of the state, bisects the town, affording access to New York to the south and the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts to the north. This, along with Route 202, provides easy access to other notably scenic towns in Litchfield County, entitling New Milford to the title "Gateway to the Litchfield Hills”.

The first bridge that was ever built over the Housatonic River from the sea to its source, was built in this town, and was finished in July, 1737. The township is centrally intersected by the Housatonic River. Many tributaries enter the Housatonic in this town, and they afforded numerous excellent mill seats which helped industry flurish. On Second hill, in the eastern part of the town were large quantities of granite of a superior quality. There are also a number of extensive marble quarries in the town. Around these growth centers religion flourished. Now there are 9 houses of worship in the town, 2 Congregational, 2 Episcopal, 2 Baptist, 2 Methodist, and 1 for Friends or Quakers.

It also hosts the New Milford Hospital, which is affiliated wtih New York- Presbyterian Hospital. New Milford Hospital is a leading cancer and cardiac facility.

The wide expanse of Candlewood Lake, popular with summer as well as permanent residents, extends along the town's southwest corner. The New Milford Historical Society has long been dedicated to preserving the integrity of the downtown area, which features one of New England's most beautiful Village Greens.

New Milford has a lively cultural center, due in part to the active Housatonic Art League ,a regional art group; the Bank Street Cinema ; TheatreWorks New Milford, a long-established community theater group; and the Merryall Center for the Arts, which offers a variety of programming during the summer.

The town hosts the popular Village Fair Days each summer, a two-day event that draws thousands of visitors to the town. Scores of antique and crafts vendors, business booths, and food and entertainment tents are located on the Village Green. Many other community activities take place on the Village Green, including the annual Carol Sing, at the gazebo in December, and the annual summer concert series in August.

The town includes the villages of Gaylordsville and Northville as well residential areas such as Merryall that maintain a strong sense of identity. New Milford's Parks and Recreation Department oversees several town parks and properties designated for active as well as passive recreational use. Open space is also preserved and maintained through the efforts of several land trusts that have holdings in the town.

The town is home to the Canterbury School, a private preparatory school for both boarders and day students in grades 9 through 12. The public school system maintains three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Construction was completed on a new high school in 2000 and the existing facility has been converted to an intermediate school.

The John Pettibone School is in New Milford for kindergarten to third graders. Hill and Plain School and Sarah Noble School are also in the area. Schaghticoke Middle School is local. New Milford High School is a public school for New Milford residents.