It is close to a railway station from which trains run to both Southend and Liverpool Street station in the business district of central London. In consequence it has long been popular as a dormitory town for commuters.
To the south of the town an extensive golf course runs to the edge of the former RAF airfield of Rochford now known as as "London Southend Airport".
Since 1980 the MP for Rochford and Southend East has been Sir Teddy Taylor (Conservative).