Polmont lies approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) to the east of Falkirk. It lies close to the M9 motorway linking Edinburgh and Glasgow, and is on the main Edinburgh to Glasgow trainline.

The population of Polmont was around 19,500 as of the 2001 Scottish census.

Many people associate Polmont with the Young Offenders Institution (HMYOI) Polmont which is the only centre holding convicted young offenders in Scotland and holds a significant proportion of remand young offenders from the West of Scotland. It also houses the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) College.

HMYOI Polmont is situated in Reddingmuirhead, 1.5 miles (2.5km) from Polmont.