[21] Clinton Township, which included what is now Irvington, Maplewood and parts of Newark and South Orange, was created on April 14, 1834.

[23] In 1850, after Stephen Foster published his ballad, Camptown Races, residents were concerned that the activities described in the song would be associated with their community.

After the park closed, the merry-go-round was sold and transported to Disney World, in Orlando, FL.

The book, Smile: A Picture History of Olympic Park, 1887–1965 written by Alan A. Siegel was published in 1983 by Rutgers University Press.

[31] The 1967 Newark riots hastened an exodus of families from that city, many of them moving a few short blocks into neighboring Irvington.

[32] On July 1, 1980, Fred Bost, was sworn in as East Ward Councilman, making him the first black person to serve on the Town Council.

At age 24, Michael G. Steele became the first black elected to public office in Irvington when he won a seat on the school board on March 25, 1980, then became the township's first black mayor ten years later, when he was elected in 1990 and served for four years, followed by Sarah Brockington Bost in 1994.

In 1994 Steele returned to the Board of Education to pursue his career as the district's certified School Business Administrator, serving over 22 years.

[1][2] The Elizabeth River runs through the city passing Civic Square and Clinton Cemetery.

This was one of the highest percentages of African American people in the United States, and the third-highest in New Jersey (behind Lawnside at 93.6%, and East Orange at 89.46%) of all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.

[54] In July 2015, the central business district surrounding the Irvington Bus Terminal on Springfield Avenue was designated as one of 33 transit villages statewide, qualifying it for incentives for revitalization.

[55][56] Irvington had six movie theatres that provided live stage appearances or films for their patrons amusement.

Motion pictures began to increase in showings during the 1940s and 1950s, but downturn in audience turn-out resulted in theaters to close during the 1970s.

[6][59] The council is the legislative body of the township and needs a ⅔ majority to make changes to the budget submitted by the mayor.

The mayor is the township's chief executive and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and submitting a budget, but is not eligible to vote on the council and is not required to attend its meetings.

As of 2025[update], the mayor of Irvington is Tony Vauss, whose term of office ends June 30, 2026.

[63] In April 2019, Jamillah Z. Beasley was appointed to fill the South Ward seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the death of Sandra M.

[67] Council President David Lyons, who had served six terms in office representing the North Ward, died in August 2019.

[70][71][72] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver (D, Newark).

[74] For the 2024–2025 session, the 28th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Renee Burgess (D, Irvington) and in the General Assembly by Garnet Hall (D, Maplewood) and Cleopatra Tucker (D, Newark).

As of 2025[update], the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (D, Roseland), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[77] Essex County's Commissioners are: Robert Mercado (D, District 1 – Newark's North and East Wards, parts of Central and West Wards; Newark, 2026),[78] A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (D, District 2 – Irvington, Maplewood and parts of Newark's South and West Wards; Newark, 2026),[79] Vice President Tyshammie L. Cooper (D, District 3 - Newark: West and Central Wards; East Orange, Orange and South Orange; East Orange, 2026),[80] Leonard M. Luciano (D, District 4 – Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange; West Caldwell, 2026),[81] President Carlos M. Pomares (D, District 5 – Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair and Nutley; Bloomfield, 2026),[82] Brendan W. Gill (D, at large; Montclair, 2026),[83] Romaine Graham (D, at large; Irvington, 2026),[84] Wayne Richardson (D, at large; Newark, 2026),[85] Patricia Sebold (D, at-large; Livingston, 2026).

[107] In 2022, Irvington sued local resident Elouise McDaniel, 82, accusing her of harassment and bullying by using her rights under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.

"[109] After being the first to report on the story, WNBC was sent two cease and desist letters by the township, accusing them of harassment as well.

[134] The Garden State Parkway is the most significant highway in Irvington, passing through the center of the township; it is accessible from exits 143 and 144.