In both World Wars the people of Hilden had many losses, a list of the soldiers' names is written on a memorial.

[citation needed] In 1945 American troops, then units of the British Army of the Rhine had occupied the town, stationed in the local barracks erected in 1937.

The initiative of the regiment to get in touch with local citizens led to the twin partnership Hilden - Warrington (1968), to school exchanges and various contacts between people.

[3] In March 1968 the British troops left Hilden, having been replaced by German military units which took over the barracks.

[4] In the aftermath of the War refugees from East Germany found a new home in Hilden nearly doubling its population.

In 1956 the Council of Hilden granted patronage to the association of refugees from the town and district of Wohlau, Lower Silesia.

Hilden was once home to textile factories, a big paint enterprise, pharmaceutical and metallurgic companies.

Flourishing companies now include the German headquarters of 3M and Qiagen, as well as many other businesses and enterprises from the technology and logistics sector.