Saddle Brook adopted its current name on November 8, 1955, replacing Saddle River Township. Saddle River Township was created on March 20, 1716, and consisted of all of the territory in Bergen County west of the Saddle River. This makes it one of the oldest municipalities in Bergen County.
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,155 people, 5,062 households, and 3,578 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,830.8 people per square mile (1,867.3/km). There were 5,161 housing units at an average density of 1,895.2/sq mi (732.6/km). The racial makeup of the township was 90.73% White, 1.39% African American, 0.04% Native American, 4.74% Asian, 1.70% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.27% of the population.
There were 5,062 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the Township the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $63,545, and the median income for a family was $73,205. Males had a median income of $49,834 versus $34,542 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,561. About 1.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Saddle Brook is intersected by the Garden State Parkway (Exit 159), Interstate 80 (Exit 62), and U.S. Route 46. In addition, Route 4 and Route 17 are within a quarter mile of its border. Two toll gates are located in the township, with one toll gate on the northbound lanes of the parkway (just north of Exit 159), and the other toll gate used at the interchange for Exit 159.
There is a New Jersey Transit rail station named Plauderville on the Bergen County Line in the township's southwest corner.
The Mayor of Saddle Brook is Lou D Arminio .
New Jersey Transit bus service is offered to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 144, 145, 148, 160, 161 and 164 routes; and to other New Jersey communities served on the 707, 712 and 758 routes.