Little Falls was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 2, 1868, from portions of Acquackanonk Township. On March 25, 1914, portions of the township were taken to form the borough of West Paterson (now Woodland Park.
The old Morris Canal, once an important artery of trade and transportation between the Delaware and Hudson Rivers, wound its way through the town, and vestiges of it still serve as a reminder of Little Falls' long history. Several well-maintained residences and other structures from the last century serve to further strengthen the town's sense of pride in its past.
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,855 people, 4,687 households, and 2,873 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,941.8 people per square mile (1,524.1/km²). There were 4,797 housing units at an average density of 1,742.0/sq mi (673.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.13% White, 0.65% African American, 0.06% Native American, 4.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.33% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.33% of the population.
There were 4,687 households out of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the township the population was spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $58,857, and the median income for a family was $70,223. Males had a median income of $49,136 versus $37,727 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,242. About 2.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Little Falls is criss-crossed by several major roadways, including U.S. Route 46 and Route 23. The Garden State Parkway and Interstate 80 run near the municipality.
The Little Falls, Montclair State University and Great Notch New Jersey Transit stations all serve Little Falls, offering service on the Montclair-Boonton Line to Hoboken Terminal or from Montclair State University Station on Midtown Direct trains to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan via Secaucus Junction.
NJ Transit bus transportation is offered to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 191, 194 and 195 routes. Newark is served by the 11, 28 (on Saturdays and Sundays) and on the 75 routes. Local routes are the 704 and 705.
Little Falls is 20.7 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth, and 27.3 miles from LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, Queens.