[19] Carteret was originally created as the borough of Roosevelt on April 11, 1906, from portions of Woodbridge Township, based on the results of a referendum approved on May 22, 1906.

[39][40] The 2010 United States census counted 22,844 people, 7,591 households, and 5,686 families in the borough.

[41] As of the 2000 United States census[14] there were 20,709 people, 7,039 households, and 5,208 families residing in the borough.

[34][35] Carteret Stages, a film production complex covering 1,200,000 square feet (110,000 m2) and estimated to cost $1 billion, is undergoing development at the waterfront.

The borough was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program and one of four of those chosen based on a competition.

[46] Carteret is the location of the primary data center for the NASDAQ OMX Group's stock exchange.

[6] The borough form of government used by Carteret is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie.

The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council.

[50][51] As of 2024[update], the mayor of Carteret is Democrat Daniel J. Reiman, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022.

[3][52][53][54][55] First elected in 2002, Reiman was paid an annual salary of $102,610 in 2016, placing him 13th among the highest-paid mayors in the state.

[56] In May 2016, the borough council selected Ajmar Singh Johal from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that became vacant following the death of Joseph W. "Skippy" Sitarz the previous month.

[66] The Carteret Volunteer First Aid Squad, established in 1934, ended operations in April 2013 after becoming financially insolvent.

Starting in April 2013, emergency medical services in the borough are provided around the clock by the EMS division of the Carteret Fire Department.

In the 1950s with the construction of the New Jersey Turnpike, which included an exit in Carteret, the department started to purchase trucks designed for safe operation fighting vehicle fires on busy high-speed highways.

The Carteret Fire Department joined with personnel from GATX Terminals Corporation and the Middlesex County Hazardous Materials Unit to construct a temporary dike to prevent the fuel from flowing into the Arthur Kill.

[71] In 2011, through the assistance of a FEMA Port Security Grant, the department acquired its first fireboat.

[73] In December 2014, the Courier News reported on an investigation of serious sexual harassment targeting the department's sole female firefighter.

[76][77][78] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).

[81] For the 2024-2025 session, the 19th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joe F. Vitale (D, Woodbridge Township) and in the General Assembly by Craig Coughlin (D, Woodbridge Township) and Yvonne Lopez (D, Perth Amboy).

[83] As of 2025[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are: Director Ronald G. Rios (D, Carteret, 2027),[84] Deputy Director Shanti Narra (D, North Brunswick, 2027),[85] Claribel A.

[112] The Carteret School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

[132] Interchange 12 of the turnpike, located in the borough, was updated as part of an $80 million project that added five additional toll lanes and new ramps to CR 602.

[133] NJ Transit local bus service is provided on the 116 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, New York City and Perth Amboy, and on the 48 route to Elizabeth and Perth Amboy.