The town of Hawthorne was once inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape Indians, also known as the Delaware. The section of the Passaic River Valley, where Hawthorne is located, was settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1700s. The original Europeans settlers were to become the borough's pioneer farmers. Hawthorne was originally established as part of Manchester Township. Manchester Township included Hawthorne, Haledon, North Haledon, Prospect Park, Totowa and parts of Paterson. Hawthorne seperated from Manchester Township and was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1898.

Hawthorne is home to over 18,000 residents. These residents enjoy accessibility to mass transit from the Hawthorne Train Station (which is located near this weather station)and bus routes to New York City and motor vehicle access to Routes 208, 287, 4, 17, 20, 80 and the Garden State Parkway.

Hawthorne, is home to the world-renowned Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps, has a number of annual community events, such as a Memorial Day Parade, and events run by the Chamber of Commerce - a Fishing Derby, July 4th Fireworks the Annual Hawthorne Day and the Santa Parade.

Hawthorne has a number of active volunteer organizations supported and staffed by the residents, including the Hawthorne Fire department, the William B. Mawhinney Ambulance Corps, the Hawthorne Auxiliary Police, the Community Emergency Response Team. The Domestic Violence Response Team and various youth sports organizations. Additional volunteers are always welcome.

The Hawthorne Public Schools are dedicated to the mission of providing quality educational opportunities to all students in the K-12 school district that serves the town.. St. Anthony's Catholic Elementary School (K-8) and the Hawthorne Christian Academy (K-12) serve those seeking a faith based education. The Louis Bay 2nd Library provides a variety of cultural, historical, entertainment and technological services to the community.