Totowa (pronounced "TO-tuh-wuh"[19] /ˈtoʊtəwə/) is a borough in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

Located in the western part of Manchester Township, Willock's Patent was resold to Anthony Brockholls and the Van Houten family.

[29] In 1895, residents of the southern section of Manchester Township began to become disenchanted with governing officials, and following the election of 1896, many independent municipalities were formed.

On March 15, 1898, the Borough of Totowa was officially incorporated under Chapter 56 of the Laws of New Jersey, signed by Governor John Griggs.

[23] On April 12, 1898, the first election of the Borough of Totowa was held at the Willard Park Hotel, which would become the unofficial town hall until the municipal building was completed in 1910.

[1][2] The borough borders the Passaic County communities of Haledon, Little Falls, Paterson, Wayne and Woodland Park.

[41] As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 9,892 people, 3,539 households, and 2,643 families residing in the borough.

[38][39] Big M, a privately held clothing retailer which operates the brands Mandee, Annie Sez and Afaze, is based in Totowa.

Meetings, registrations, and events are held at the PAL building, built in 1963 and located on Chamberlain Avenue.

[6] The borough form of government 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.

[47][48] As of 2024[update], the mayor of Totowa is Republican John Coiro, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[3][49][50][51][52][53] Councilmember John Waryas resigned from office in June 2014, citing personal issues.

[54] That month, the borough council selected Brendan Murphy from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill Waryas' vacant seat on an interim basis.

[58] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 11th congressional district is represented by Mikie Sherrill (D, Montclair).

[60] For the 2024-2025 session, the 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kristin Corrado (R, Totowa) and in the General Assembly by Al Barlas (R, Cedar Grove) and Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff).

[62] As of 2025[update], Passaic County's Commissioners are: Bruce James (D, Clifton, 2026),[63] Deputy Director Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara (D, Little Falls, 2027),[64] Director John W. Bartlett (D, Wayne, 2027),[65] Orlando Cruz (D, Paterson, 2026),[66] Terry Duffy (D, West Milford, 2025),[67] Rodney DeVore (D, Paterson, 2027)[68] and Pasquale "Pat" Lepore (D, Woodland Park, 2025).

[81] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 64.3% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 80.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide).

[99] During the day, between the hours of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, the emergency services are provided by mutual aid agreements with surrounding municipalities or private ambulance companies.

About 80 students from Totowa attended PCTI (Passaic County Technical Institute) as of 2018.

[114][115] Totowa is located within the New York media market, with most of its daily papers available for sale or delivery.

A segment of the April 12, 2013, episode of the American version of the reality television series Undercover Boss was filmed in Totowa.

In the segment, Tony Wells, the CMO for the home security provider ADT, visits Totowa to pose as a new employee being trained as a local sales representative.