At the beginning of the 20th century there were 3,357 people living in Saltash, more than double the 1851 population of 1,621. New terraces and villas had been built along existing roads, and many new residential streets had been created, mostly with terraced housing, to accommodate this increase.

The industrial workers, ferrymen, and fishermen and women continued to live in the tightly packed streets of sixteenth century houses that curved along the contours of the hill behind the Town Quay, but further housing in the form of a long row of cottages, Brunel Terrace, had been built behind Sand Quay. There were now three wharves (New Wharf, Commercial Wharf and Ashtor Wharf) and a pontoon. The waterside community even had its own mission church, built strategically between two of the three public houses on Tamar Street. Industry, however, was in decline; the quarry, the foundry, and the boat yard had closed, the limekilns were demolished, and the ferry had lost much of its trade.

In 1903 the impressive Wearde House, built around 1740, caught fire. Sailors from HMS Defiance formed a bucket chain, carrying water from the river to quench the flames, thus saving part of the house which can still be seen next to the community school.

The early 20th century established the railway as the major transportation link in Saltash. By 1904 there was a regular train service for Saltash commuters who worked in Plymouth and Devonport. Saltash became the busiest station in Cornwall, and the viaducts had to be rebuilt to take the increased loads. The traffic to and from HMS Defiance alone was so considerable that in 1905 the Great Western Railway opened a halt above Wearde Quay. Defiance Halt remained in existance for 25 years until 1930.

Now that the Waterside was no longer teeming with industry, its picturesque qualities were more evident, and its popularity as a tourist destination continued. In 1906 the Rustic Tea Gardens were built on the site of the old quarry near Sand Quay, and an area for bathing was established to the north of New Wharf.

The pipes carrying the town's water supply from Burrator Reservoir were relaid across the Royal Albert Bridge in 1909. They had previously lain on the river bed, but had been subject to damage and leakage.

Following the 1914-1918 war, Saltash played an important part in aiding the many wounded when the former Army Camp at Wearde was converted to the Queen Alexandra's Convalescent Centre.

In 1921 the Sisters of the Good Shepherd settled in Saltash and founded St. Ann's Convent on New Road.

Although the Church of St Nicholas and St Faith had become a parish church in 1881, the building had remained the property of the Corporation. This most unusual situation was corrected in 1923, when the Corporation conveyed the site and fabric of the church to the Church Authorities on the understanding that the mayor could have the church bells rung upon request and that the front pew be reserved for the mayor's use when needed. These conditions remain in force to this day.

The town was still growing, and new leisure facilities were provided. A working men’s club had opened in 1919, and the Imperial Picture House opened on Culver Road in 1924. Saltash's first public housing estate was built during the same year, at Salt Mill to the north of Westbourne Terrace, and a new recreation ground was laid out at Longstone.

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