 Out of the total population, 2.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.River Vale is governed within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government (Plan E), implemented by direct petition as of January 1, 1979.The Mayor-Council plan consists of two separate and coequal power centers, each directly elected by voters, with the Mayor serving as Chief Executive, while the Council is the municipal legislature.