[23][24] In 1871, land was chosen in both Glassboro and Mantua Township to be set aside for a Methodist summer camp meeting.

This area became known as the Pitman Grove, and while worshipers' tents originally lined each of the twelve roads, cottages slowly replaced the tents and formed the foundation of the town of Pitman.

By the 1880s, the number of cottages had climbed to 400 and residents had begun staying year-round, both of which led to the establishment of the first public school in 1884.

By 1887, businesses had cropped up north of the Grove in an area then-named Arbutus Hill, and in 1892, Alcyon Park was established.

On May 24, 1905, Governor of New Jersey Edward C. Stokes signed a law granting the incorporation.

In 2015, the borough council authorized an ordinance permitting liquor licenses and a pair of local breweries opened in Pitman's Uptown business district in 2016 under the terms of a state law that allows the sale of beer by the glass in tasting rooms.

[30][31] In November 2016, nearly 65% of voters approved a non-binding referendum allowing the issuance of liquor licenses.

[33][34] The 2010 United States census counted 9,011 people, 3,489 households, and 2,327 families in the borough.

[42] As of the 2000 United States census,[17] there were 9,331 people, 3,473 households, and 2,431 families residing in the borough.

[7] The borough form of government used by Pitman 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.

[44][45][46] As of 2025[update], the mayor of Pitman Borough is Republican Michael L. Razze, Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

Members of the Pitman Borough Council are Council President Vanessa James (D, 2025), John Fitzpatrick (R, 2025), Debra Guarni (D, 2027), Adam Mazzola (D, 2026), Sarah Musto (R, 2027) and Robert Uyehara (D, 2026).

[53] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 1st congressional district is represented by Donald Norcross (D, Camden).

[56] For the 2024-2025 session, the 3rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John Burzichelli (D, Paulsboro) and in the General Assembly by David Bailey (D, Woodstown) and Heather Simmons (D, Glassboro).

[100] Route 47 is the main highway directly serving Pitman, running along the borough's eastern border with Glassboro.

[105][106] The community is a planned stop on the Glassboro–Camden Line, an 18-mile (28.97 km) diesel multiple unit (DMU) light rail system that was projected for completion in 2019.