Westwood (known as "The Hub of the Pascack Valley"[20]) is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

[27] The Lenni-Lenape Native Americans inhabited this part of the state and shared it with the transient hunters and trappers until the permanent settlers began to enter in mid-18th century.

[31] In the early 19th century, the area that would later become Westwood was within the larger political boundaries of Harrington Township, which had been established by royal charter in 1775.

[34] The first wave of concentrated development took place as the result of the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1870, which followed the route of today's Pascack Valley Line.

The triangular park that has played an important role as a place of community gatherings is also shown on the 1876 map.

In 1890, following a meeting of interested residents, those favoring the incorporation of Westwood as an independent borough conducted a petition drive.

[37] In 1899, a water plant constructed by Cornelius S. DeBraun provided service to the houses that had been built along the borough's newly laid streets.

[38] Lincoln High School was constructed around the turn of the 20th century, which also saw the introduction of electricity, telephones, and automobiles to the town.

[35] Following a typical pattern of development throughout the 20th century, the results are a mature railroad suburb almost covered with housing units, commercial, municipal and ecclesiastical buildings.

[1][2] The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Emerson, Hillsdale, River Vale And Washington Township.

The mayor serves a four-year term of office, and the borough council includes six members who serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.

[52][53] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Westwood is Republican Raymond Arroyo, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.

[3][54][55][56][57][58][59] In January 2020, Cheryl Hodges was selected from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that became vacant when Raymond Arroyo took office as mayor; Hodges served on an interim basis until the November 2020 general election, when voters selected her to serve the balance of the term of office.

[60] In May 2018, the borough council selected Alyssa Dawson from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Peter Grefrath expiring in December 2018.

[61] In September 2015, the borough council selected Beth Dell from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Robert Miller expiring in December 2016.

In announcing his resignation, Miller cited commitments to his family, and concerns about the impact of extended service by elected officials.

[64][65][66] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).

As of 2025[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[71] Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[72] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[73] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[74] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[75] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[76] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2027)[77] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2027).

[78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85] Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[86][87] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2027)[88][89] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).

[93] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 62.8% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 80.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

[109] Westwood has a police department founded in September 1894, months after the borough was established, with the appointment by Mayor Bogert of two marshals; The first permanent officer was hired in 1921.

[132] The closest limited-access highway is the Garden State Parkway in neighboring Washington Township, where Exit 168 links CR 502 to the borough.

Connections are available at Hoboken Terminal to other NJ Transit rail lines, the PATH train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service.

[145][146] Westwood has a movie theater located on Center Avenue that is open seven days a week until midnight.

[148] Every Saturday, from May through November, there is a Farmer's Market held in the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus on Crest Street.

[149] In the summer, there are multiple concerts in the park where anyone can bring chairs or blankets, and watch the movie projected on the back of the train station.

[150] Westwood also has a Community Center that is home to the Recreation Department where children and adults can get participate in sports and other activities.