[24][25] The settlement of Shiloh was founded in 1705 by Robert Ayars, who brought over 2,000 Seventh Day Baptists from Rhode Island to be free of religious persecution.

[31] As part of a political battle over the site of the county seat for Cumberland County, Columbia Township was formed on March 12, 1844, from portions of Hopewell and Stow Creek Townships; the short-lived municipality included all of present-day Shiloh, in addition to extensive additional land, but all was returned to its original home when Columbia Township was dissolved on March 11, 1845, surviving as an independent municipality for a day short of one year.

[32][33] The 2010 United States census counted 516 people, 198 households, and 138 families in the borough.

[40] As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 534 people, 194 households, and 152 families residing in the borough.

A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office.

[6] The borough form of government used by Shiloh 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.

[42][43] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Shiloh is Republican Brad Campbell, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024.

[3][44][45][46][47][48] Brad Campbell was appointed to fill the vacant mayoral seat of Harold Davis, following his death in February 2014.

The council seat expiring in 2017 held by Carman Daddario became vacant following his being sworn in to serve on the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

[51][52] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).

[54] 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).

[56] As of 2025[update], members of the Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners (with party affiliation, residence and term-end year listed in parentheses) are: Douglas A. Albrecht (R, Vineland, 2025),[57] Deputy Director Antonio Romero (R, Vineland, 2027),[58] Sandra Taylor (R, Downe Township; 2026),[59] Victoria Groetsch-Lods (R, Vineland, 2025),[60] Arthur Marchand (R, Hopewell Township, 2026),[61] James Sauro (R, Vineland, 2026)[62] and Robert A. Austino (D, Bridgeton, 2027).

[76][77] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.1% of the vote (160 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 40.4% (113 votes), with 280 ballots cast among the borough's 371 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.5%.

[78] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 66.8% of the vote (183 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received around 33.6% (92 votes), with 275 ballots cast among the borough's 352 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.8.