[21] Little Silver was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1923, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 28, 1923.

[22] Prior to the settlement of Europeans, the area that is now Little Silver was inhabited by the Navesink Native Americans.

[21] The original Parker Homestead, dating to 1725 and one of the state's oldest, was acquired by the borough and is undergoing renovation.

[23] Other explanations for the derivation of the name are the payment to Native Americans for purchase of the land and the placid appearance of the water.

Early families included: The borough has had a varied history as a resort, agricultural area and fishing town.

Today, the municipality is primarily residential with a range of housing types, from ranches and capes.

Over the years, New York City and North Jersey commuters have made Little Silver their home, traveling by rail or auto to their jobs.

The Little Silver train station on Sycamore Avenue was designed by the noted American architect Henry Hobson Richardson and built in 1890.

Little Silver's location on the Shrewsbury River makes it a popular destination for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, with a public boat ramp at the Dominick F. Santelle Park off Riverview Avenue.

[citation needed] The 2010 United States census counted 5,950 people, 2,146 households, and 1,689 families in the borough.

[38][39] As of 2025[update], the mayor of Little Silver is Republican Robert C. Neff Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

Members of the Borough Council are Kevin J. Brennan (R, 2026), Christopher M. Faherty (R, 2026), Donald S. Galante (R, 2025), Elizabeth Giblin (R, 2025; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Christian M. Smith (R, 2027) and Laurette Villardi (R, 2027).

[44] In March 2016, the borough council selected Corinne Thygeson from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Stuart W. Van Winkle that became vacant upon his resignation; Thygeson will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will select a candidate to fill the balance of the term.

[45] In January 2015, the borough council selected Glenn Talavera to fill the vacant seat expiring December 2015 of Richard J.

[46] In September 2011, following the death of mayor Suzanne Castleman in July 2011, Robert Neff was appointed to fill the vacant mayoral seat, while Donald Galante, a former member of the borough council, was appointed to fill Neff's vacant council seat.

A report delivered in July 2008 recommended that Fair Haven, Little Silver and Rumson should consider a network of shared police services, with consideration of inclusion of Oceanport and Shrewsbury deferred to a second phase.

[50] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).

[86][87] Students from other Monmouth County municipalities are eligible to attend the high school for its performing arts program, with admission on a competitive basis.

The closest limited access road is the Garden State Parkway via CR 520 in Middletown Township.

NJ Transit train service is available at the Little Silver station, which is one of the few on the electrified portion of the line without raised platforms.

[93][94] The train station, constructed in 1875 by the New York and Long Branch Railroad, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.