[25] During the colonial era, the borough was the site of an important ferry crossing between the region's towns at Bergen and Hackensack, which was operated by rope on the site starting in 1659, continuing until 1826 when it was replaced by a bridge on the Bergen Turnpike.

[30] In the earlier 20th nearby Fort Lee on the Hudson Palisades was home to many film studios of America's first motion picture industry.

[31][32][33] On July 9, 1937, a major fire broke out in a 20th Century-Fox film storage facility in Little Ferry.

[37][38][39] The borough lies near the confluence of the Hackensack River and Overpeck Creek in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

[40] The 2010 United States census counted 10,626 people, 4,239 households, and 2,730 families in the borough.

[50] As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 10,800 people, 4,366 households, and 2,785 families residing in the borough.

[7] The borough form of government used by Little Ferry 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.

[52][53] As of 2024[update], the mayor of Little Ferry is Democrat Mauro D. Raguseo, serving now in his 5th consecutive (4 year) term of office which ends December 31, 2027.

[3][54][55][56][57][58][59] In the 2011 election, Mauro Raguseo was re-elected, defeating Republican Bernard Sobolewski, while council incumbents Roberta Henriquez and Peggy Steinhilber earned new terms in office, fending off Republican challengers Eileen De Leeuw and Stephen Lanum.

[60] In the 2010 general election, incumbents Thomas Sarlo and Sue Schuck were re-elected to three-year terms of office, knocking off Republican challengers Foster Lowe and Claudia Zilocchi.

[63] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 9th congressional district is represented by Nellie Pou (D, North Haledon)[64] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).

[65] For the 2024-2025 session, the 38th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph Lagana (D, Paramus) and in the General Assembly by Lisa Swain (D, Fair Lawn) and Chris Tully (D, Bergenfield).

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

[67] Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[68] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[69] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[70] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[71] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[72] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2027)[73] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2027).

[74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81] Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[82][83] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2027)[84][85] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).

[89] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 47.1% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 58.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

[119][120] In March 2007, the New Jersey Department of Transportation proposed its latest plan to address issues at the circle.

The plan would realign the circle into a straight intersection, complete with turning lanes; prohibit left turns onto many residential streets; and would include construction of a pump station to move water off the oft-flooded highway and into the Hackensack River.