Millville was reincorporated as a city on March 1, 1866, based on the results of a referendum passed that same day.

In 1790, Joseph Smith and Henry Drinker purchased 24,000 acres (97 km2) of land known as the Union Mills Tract.

Joseph Buck, an American Revolutionary War veteran who served under General George Washington, was part of a group that purchased the land in the area in 1795 and laid out the plans for what would become Millville.

[28] In 1806, an Irish immigrant, James Lee, opened the area's first glass factory, making use of the large amounts of silica sand and the ample wood that could be used to operate the plant.

David Wood then constructed a dam, forming the largest man-made lake in the state, which powered the entire manufacturing organization.

In 1862, Charles K. Landis laid out the city of Vineland about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of the Maurice River.

[23] In 1936, the town was the site of Roosevelt Park, a project proposed by Effie Maud Aldrich Morrison as the country's first housing development for the elderly.

[31] In less than a year, construction of military base facilities began, and in January 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a gunnery school for fighter pilots.

Gunnery training began with Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft, but after a few weeks was changed over to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

During its three-year existence, thousands of soldiers and civilians served here, with about 1,500 pilots receiving advanced fighter training in the Thunderbolt.

[32] Following World War II, the airfield was declared excess to the government's needs, and returned to the City of Millville.

The last of the apartments vanished in the early 1970s, and the airport soon became a hub of industry and aviation for Southern New Jersey.

[33] Up to the late 1990s the Millville downtown area was depressed and somewhat isolated, as illustrated by the abandoned Levoy Theatre and Wheaton Glass Factory, with investors reluctant to venture in its development.

Major redevelopment has occurred in the past several years, establishing the scenic Riverfront and Downtown areas into an artists' haven, including many studios, shops, and restaurants.

A public art center with galleries and studios is the hub of activity, and is open six days a week.

Fine paperweights from the classic period (1845–1870) were made with one of three techniques: millefiori, lampwork or cameo incrustations (sulphides).

In the first decade of the twentieth century, crimp flowers, mostly roses, originated in Millville, with several glassworkers making them in their off duty time.

[2][3] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Clarks Mill, Farmingdale, Manatico, North Newark and Union Lake.

[63] Originally opened in 1908, the Levoy Theatre reopened in September 2012 after a 34-year hiatus, with an orchestra on hand playing music to accompany a pair of silent films featuring Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

Watson defeated Robert McQuade, who had finished in sixth-place in the 2021 election and had been appointed to fill the vacant seat that had been held by Quinn.

[70] In March 2024, Mayor Lisa Orndorf resigned from the Millville City Commission for health reasons.

In April 2024, Millville City Commissioners appointed Marissa Ranello to fill the vacant seat.

[78] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 50.9% of the vote (5,082 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 46.8% (4,677 votes), with 9,992 ballots cast among the city's 15,685 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 63.7.

[90][91][92] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).

[94] For the 2024-2025 session, the 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Mike Testa (R, Vineland) and in the General Assembly by Antwan McClellan (R, Ocean City) and Erik K. Simonsen (R, Lower Township).

Camelot offers an alternative setting for students facing behavioral, emotional or academic challenges.

[139] Former Camden Bishop Joseph Galante announced in January 2012 that the school would close in June due to poor finances resulting from a declining student body.

[141] Additionally As of 2020[update] Bishop McHugh Regional School in Dennis Township in Cape May County accepts students from Millville.

[152][153] Millville Municipal Airport, operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, serves general aviation.