[21] It is the home of the annual Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival, which celebrated its 23rd year in 2012.

[22] Elmer was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 28, 1893, from portions of Pittsgrove Township and Upper Pittsgrove Township, based on the results of a referendum held four days earlier.

[23] The borough was named for Lucius Elmer a former judge who helped obtain a post office for the community during his service as Congressman.

[24][25] Elmer is a dry town where alcohol is not permitted to be sold legally.

The 2010 United States census counted 1,395 people, 536 households, and 391 families in the borough.

[38] As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 1,384 people, 524 households, and 385 families residing in the borough.

[7] The borough form of government used by Elmer 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.

[40][41] As of 2022[update], the mayor of Elmer Borough is Democrat Joseph P. Stemberger, whose term of office expires on December 31, 2023.

Members of the Elmer Borough Council are Council President Lewis M. Schneider (R, 2024), Lynda Davis (R, 2022), Bruce Foster (R, 2023), Cynthia L. Nolan (R, 2023), Steven A. Schalick (R, 2022) and James W. Zee, III (R, 2024).

[4][42][43][44][45] In February 2019, the borough council selected Bruce Foster from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the resignation of R. Matthew Richards the previous month.

[48][49][50] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).

[52] For the 2024-2025 session, the 3rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John Burzichelli (D, Paulsboro) and in the General Assembly by David Bailey (D, Woodstown) and Heather Simmons (D, Glassboro).

[53] Salem County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year.

Cross (R, Pennsville Township, 2029),[56][57] Sheriff Charles M. Miller (R, Salem, 2027)[58][59] and Surrogate Nicki A. Burke (D, Woodstown, 2025).

[62] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 61.1% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 79.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).