"[21][22] Westville was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1914, from portions of Deptford Township and West Deptford Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 28, 1914.

[25] The borough was named for Thomas West, who built a home in the area in 1775 that still stands.

[30] The borough borders the municipalities of Deptford Township and West Deptford Township in Gloucester County, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, and Gloucester City in Camden County, and Philadelphia, located across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania.

[31][32] The 2010 United States census counted 4,288 people, 1,755 households, and 1,095 families in the borough.

Of all households, 31.3% were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

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

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

[4][41][42] As of 2025[update], the mayor of Westville is Democrat Fritz H. Sims Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.

Members of the Westville Borough Council are Council President Bruce Nordaby (D, 2027), Donna M. Domico (D, 2026), Travis R. Lawrence (D, 2025), Paul C. Mailley (D, 2025), Charles D. Murtaugh (D, 2026), Tracy Van Acker (D, 2025; appointed to serve an unexpired term) and Timothy Young (D, 2027).

[48] In June 2020, Fritz H. Sims Jr. was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that became vacant following the resignation of Russell W. Welsh Jr. after moving out of Westville.

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

[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).

[101][102] Conrai's Penns Grove Secondary freight rail line passes through the town.

The planned diesel multiple unit light rail system, the Glassboro-Camden Line, would use the same right-of-way with a stop in Westville at Crown Point Road.