Trenton is a city in Fannin and Grayson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, Trenton had a population of 743. The population is currently 854.
History
Settlers from Tennessee arrived from their home state in 1852. At the time of their arrival, the settlement and surrounding area was known by the colorful name of "Wild Cat Thicket". With the arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, a townsite was platted by Dr. W. C. Holmes, a pioneer physician and editor of Trenton Tribune, and known as "the father of Trenton". The name "Trenton" was submitted to the postal authorities (after Trenton, New Jersey), and the post office opened under that name in 1881.
The railroad drew people to Trenton from nearby communities, and a depot was built. The first population figures available show 200 people living there in the mid-1880s. Fifteen years later the population was 300 and the town had a school and all essential businesses, including a newspaper, a steam gristmill, a hotel, and a boardinghouse. At that time it became a major shipping origination point for cotton, corn, and oats produced by area farmers. A national bank was opened in Trenton in 1901 and by 1914 was capitalized at $40,000. By the mid-1920s the population had risen to just over 600 people, and the Trenton school system had 300 students enrolled. In the early 1930s farmers in the vicinity, influenced by the success of local farmer P. E. Brown, began large-scale commercial production of onions. This new crop grew rapidly in importance, and production reached a peak in 1933 when 158 rail carloads were shipped from Trenton. The effects of the Great Depression were devastating in the region, and by 1936 Trenton's population had declined to less than 500. During this time of economic hardship, the number of businesses serving the community dwindled to 28. With the recovery of the economy, the population also began to rise, with 634 reported in 1948 to an all-time high of 712 by 1967. In 1977 Trenton reported 615 residents and seventeen businesses. By the early 1980s the town had become the third-largest shipping point for onions in North Texas. It had an estimated 682 people and twenty businesses by 1988. In 1990 its population totaled 655, and in 2000 662 people made up the town.
Geography
Trenton is located in southwestern Fannin County. U.S. Route 69 passes through the northeastern part of the city, leading northwest to Denison and southeast to Greenville. Texas State Highway 121 passes through the northern part of Trenton, crossing US 69 at a diamond interchange. Highway 121 leads northeast to Bonham, the Fannin County seat, and southwest to Melissa. The center of Dallas is southwest of Trenton via Melissa and McKinney.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Trenton has a total area of , all land. A small portion of the city now extends west along FM 814 into Grayson County.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Trenton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Trenton had a population of 743. The median age was 37.5 years, with 25.7% of residents under the age of 18 and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.7 males age 18 and over.
There were 290 households in Trenton, of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.9% were married-couple households, 17.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 574 || 77.3%
|-
| Black or African American || 18 || 2.4%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 6 || 0.8%
|-
| Asian || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 58 || 7.8%
|-
| Two or more races || 87 || 11.7%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 127 || 17.1%
|}
2007
As of the census
See also
- List of municipalities in Texas