[22] The borough is a suburb of New York City, near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge.

At the time of the American Revolutionary War, Leonia was known as part of the English Neighborhood, a name that survives in neighboring Englewood.

Leonia's proximity to New York City and its major universities, theaters, and performing venues contributed to its place in the world of art and academics, with many artists and leading thinkers living there in the 20th century.

The local economy that had focused on agriculture underwent economic and cultural growth during the late 19th century, marked by the introduction of train service.

[28][29] In 1899, after traveling through Leonia upon arriving in New Jersey by ferry at Edgewater, advertising executive Artemus Ward purchased a large piece of land and established the Leonia Heights Land Company to develop and market housing in the community.

His advertising attracted many academics and artists who were drawn to Leonia's small size, culture, and location, leading to the town's nickname, the "Athens of New Jersey".

[30] In 1915, Harvey Dunn established the Leonia School of Illustration, fostering the artists' colony that emerged over the next decade.

Transportation through the borough was enhanced by access to ferries and trolley systems, and Leonia became a refuge for many of America's most creative thinkers, including five Nobel Prize winners.

In colonial times, it served as the main inland route between Paulus Hook, Bergen, and the English Neighborhood.

[37][38][39] Leonia is designated as a Tree City USA, receiving its 21st annual recognition in 2010 from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The Guild's 1940 production of One Mad Night was the first three-act play performed on television, when it was broadcast on WPTZ, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Guild operates out of the historic Civil War Drill Hall Theatre on Grand Avenue, which is leased from the borough.

Recent productions include Lovers and Other Strangers, The Glass Menagerie, Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Hair.

Past shows have included The Wizard of Oz, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Annie, Oliver, Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

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

[60][61] As of 2024[update], Leonia's mayor is Democrat William Ziegler, whose term ends on December 31, 2027.

[72][73] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).

As of 2025[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[78] Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[79] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[80] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[81] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[82] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[83] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2027)[84] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2027).

[85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92] Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[93][94] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2027)[95][96] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).

[100] Of the borough's 2010 census population, 52.7% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 67.9% of those over 18 (vs. 73.7% countywide).

[100][101] In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,451 votes (66.8% vs. 54.8% countywide) to Republican Mitt Romney's 1,135 (30.9% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates' 47 (1.3% vs. 0.9%).

[102][103] In the 2008 presidential election, Obama received 2,604 votes (65.9% vs. 53.9% countywide) to Republican John McCain's 1,273 (32.2% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates' 30 (0.8% vs. 0.8%).

[104][105] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,468 votes (64.4% vs. 51.7% countywide) to Republican George W. Bush's 1,327 (34.6% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates' 25 (0.7% vs. 0.7%).

[132] Route 93 (Grand Avenue) runs north-south for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through the center of the borough, connecting Palisades Park and Englewood.

[137] But due to complaints from business owners citing decreased revenues, Leonia officials are reconsidering.

This domestic storyline was later loosely adapted in the 2021 TV series WandaVision, although the location was changed to the fictional town of Westview, New Jersey.