Roselle (/roʊˈzɛl/ row-ZELL) is a borough located in Union County in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

[9][11] On January 19, 1883, the world's first electric lighting system employing overhead wires began service in Roselle.

It had been built by Thomas Edison to demonstrate that an entire community could be illuminated by electricity.

This success encouraged the installation of electric lighting in numerous other villages and cities.

[23] Roselle was incorporated on December 20, 1894, at the height of the Boroughitis phenomenon sweeping through New Jersey at the time, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier, from portions of Linden.

[1][2] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Aldene.

The 2010 United States census counted 21,085 people, 7,407 households, and 5,096 families in the borough.

[43] As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 21,274 people, 7,520 households, and 5,226 families residing in the borough.

[46] Established in July 2002, the borough's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023.

[57] The borough form of government used by Roselle 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.

As of 2024[update], the mayor of the Borough of Roselle is Democrat Donald Shaw, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2027.

[66] In April 2015, the borough council, based on nominations submitted by the Democratic municipal committee, chose Samuel Bishop to fill the vacant seat in the 5th Ward of Roy Locke, while Reginald W. Atkins was chosen to fill the at-large seat vacated by Christine Dansereau when she was sworn in as mayor.

[70][71][72] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver (D, Newark).

[74] For the 2024-2025 session, the 20th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph Cryan (D, Union Township) and in the General Assembly by Reginald Atkins (D, Roselle) and Annette Quijano (D, Elizabeth).

[76] As of 2025[update], Union County's County Commissioners are: Rebecca Williams (D, Plainfield, 2025),[77] Joesph Bodek (D, Linden, 2026),[78] James E. Baker Jr. (D, Rahway, 2027),[79] Michele Delisfort (D, Union Township, 2026),[80] Sergio Granados (D, Elizabeth, 2025),[81] Bette Jane Kowalski (D, Cranford, 2025),[82] Vice Chair Lourdes M. Leon (D, Elizabeth, 2026),[83] Alexander Mirabella (D, Fanwood, 2027)[84] and Chair Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded (D, Westfield, 2027).

[85][86] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (D, Union Township, 2025),[87][88] Sheriff Peter Corvelli (D, Kenilworth, 2026)[89][90] and Surrogate Christopher E. Hudak (D, Clark, 2027).

[93] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 55.7% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 72.8% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).

[118] St. Joseph the Carpenter School, which was founded in 1913, serves students in preschool through eighth grade, operating under the supervision of the Newark Archdiocese.

The town once shared a passenger station with Roselle Park on the mainline of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.

[citation needed] Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) from Roselle.