Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton, New Jersey
State capital
Downtown Trenton along the Delaware River
New Jersey State House
Trenton City Hall
Mill Hill Historic District
Turning Point Church
Trenton War Memorial
Broad Street National Bank
Flag of Trenton, New Jersey
Flag
Official seal of Trenton, New Jersey
Seal
Nickname(s): 
The Capital City,
Turning Point of the Revolution
Motto(s): 
"Trenton Makes, The World Takes"[1]
Location of Trenton in Mercer County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Mercer County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
Location of Trenton in Mercer County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Mercer County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
Census Bureau map of Trenton, New Jersey Interactive map of Trenton, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Trenton, New Jersey
Map
Interactive map of Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is located in Mercer County, New Jersey
Trenton
Trenton
Location in Mercer County
Trenton is located in New Jersey
Trenton
Trenton
Location in New Jersey
Trenton is located in the United States
Trenton
Trenton
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 40°13′13″N 74°45′57″W / 40.22028°N 74.76583°W / 40.22028; -74.76583[2][3]
Country United States
State New Jersey
CountyMercer
FoundedJune 3, 1719
IncorporatedNovember 13, 1792
Named forWilliam Trent
Government
[8]
 • TypeFaulkner Act
 • BodyCity Council
 • MayorReed Gusciora (term ends December 31, 2026)[4][5]
 • AdministratorAdam E. Cruz[6]
 • Municipal clerkBrandon Garcia[7]
Area
[9]
8.20 sq mi (21.25 km2)
 • Land7.61 sq mi (19.70 km2)
 • Water0.60 sq mi (1.55 km2)  7.62%
 • Rank229th of 565 in state
9th of 12 in county[2]
Elevation
[12]
59 ft (18 m)
Population
 (2020)[13][14]
90,871
 • Estimate 
(2023)[13][15][16]
89,620
 • Rank382nd in country (as of 2022)[15]
10th of 565 in state
2nd of 12 in county[17]
 • Density11,989.8/sq mi (4,629.3/km2)
  • Rank25th of 565 in state
1st of 12 in county[17]
 • Urban
370,422 (US: 112th)[11]
 • Urban density2,782.4/sq mi (1,074.3/km2)
 • Metro
387,340 (US: 143rd)[10]
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes
08608–08611, 08618–08620, 08625, 08628, 08629, 08638[18][19]
Area code609[20]
FIPS code3402174000[2][21][22]
GNIS feature ID0885421[2][23]
Websitetrentonnj.org

Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It was the capital of the United States from November 1 until December 24, 1784.[24][25] Trenton and Princeton are the two principal cities of the Trenton–Princeton metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses those cities and all of Mercer County for statistical purposes and constitutes part of the New York combined statistical area by the U.S. Census Bureau.[26] However, Trenton directly borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area to its west, and the city was part of the Philadelphia combined statistical area from 1990 until 2000.[27]

In the 2020 United States census, Trenton was the state's 10th-most-populous municipality,[28] with a population of 90,871,[13][14] an increase of 5,958 (+7.0%) from the 2010 census count of 84,913,[29][30] which in turn had reflected a decline of 490 (−0.6%) from the 85,403 counted in the 2000 census.[31] The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated that the city's population was 89,661 in 2022,[13] ranking the city the 382nd-most-populous in the country.[15] Trenton is the only city in New Jersey that serves three separate commuter rail transit systems (Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA), and the city has encouraged a spate of transit-oriented development since 2010.[32]

Trenton dates back at least to June 3, 1719, when mention was made of a constable being appointed for Trenton while the area was still part of Hunterdon County. Boundaries were recorded for Trenton Township as of March 2, 1720.[33] A courthouse and jail were constructed in Trenton around 1720, and the Freeholders of Hunterdon County met annually in Trenton.[34]

Abraham Hunt was appointed in 1764 as Trenton's first Postmaster.[35][36] On November 25, 1790, Trenton became New Jersey's capital, and by November 13, 1792, the City of Trenton was formed within Trenton Township. Trenton Township was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. On February 22, 1834, portions of Trenton Township were taken to form Ewing Township. The remaining portion of Trenton Township was absorbed by the city on April 10, 1837. A series of annexations took place over a 50-year period with the city absorbing South Trenton (April 14, 1851), portions of Nottingham Township (April 14, 1856), Chambersburg Township and Millham Township (both on March 30, 1888), and Wilbur (February 28, 1898). Portions of Ewing Township and Hamilton Township were annexed to Trenton on March 23, 1900.[33][37]

  1. ^ Kuperinsky, Amy. "'The Jewel of the Meadowlands'?: N.J.'s best, worst and weirdest town slogans" Archived November 20, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 22, 2015. Accessed July 12, 2016. "Trenton. There are scant few unfamiliar with the huge neon sign installed in 1935 that sits on the Lower Trenton Bridge, declaring 'Trenton Makes, The World Takes.' Lumber company owner S. Roy Heath came up with the slogan, originally 'The World Takes, Trenton Makes,' for a chamber of commerce contest in 1910."
  2. ^ a b c d 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places Archived March 21, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 Archived August 24, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Council was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory Archived March 11, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Administration & Finance Department Archived October 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, City of Trenton. Accessed March 10, 2023.
  7. ^ City Clerk Archived August 9, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, City of Trenton. Accessed March 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference DataBook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2021 Archived June 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2023.
  11. ^ List of 2020 Census Urban Areas Archived December 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau.Accessed January 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Census2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LWD2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ a b c Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2022 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 Archived July 17, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau, released May 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023. Note that townships (including Edison, Lakewood and Woodbridge, all of which have larger populations) are excluded from these rankings.
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference PopEst was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ a b Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021 Archived March 7, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Trenton, NJ Archived November 11, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, United States Postal Service. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  19. ^ Zip Codes Archived June 17, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, State of New Jersey. Accessed September 7, 2013.
  20. ^ Area Code Lookup – NPA NXX for Trenton, NJ Archived June 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Area-Codes.com. Accessed September 7, 2013.
  21. ^ U.S. Census website Archived December 27, 1996, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  22. ^ Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey Archived November 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
  23. ^ US Board on Geographic Names Archived February 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  24. ^ New Jersey County Map Archived March 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed July 10, 2017.
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference UScapital was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties Archived April 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas." Archived April 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Office of Management and Budget Bulletin 13-01, February 28, 2013. Accessed April 22, 2019.
  28. ^ Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses Archived February 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Cite error: The named reference Census2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  30. ^ Cite error: The named reference LWD2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010 Archived June 2, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey Trenton Transit District Plans Trenton Transit District Development Project". Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023. As the only city in New Jersey to serve three major railway systems (Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA), with service to New York and Philadelphia, Trenton has untapped potential to support dense, walkable, and mixed-use development near the City's transit stations.
  33. ^ a b Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. pp. 164–165. Accessed May 30, 2024.
  34. ^ County History Archived July 25, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed April 18, 2011.
  35. ^ Cite error: The named reference napo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  36. ^ Cite error: The named reference schuyler was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  37. ^ Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896–1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period Archived October 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, p. 302. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 12, 2015.