Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It also serves as the county seat for Mercer County.

The city is a key part of the Trenton–Princeton metropolitan statistical area. This region includes all of Mercer County for statistical purposes. It is also part of the larger New York combined statistical area.

To the west, Trenton borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In the 2020 census, Trenton was the fifth largest city in Central Jersey. It was also the 10th-most-populous municipality in the entire state.

The history of the area began with the Lenape Native Americans. The Axion band was the largest tribe on the Delaware River during the mid-17th century. Later, Quakers established the first European settlement in 1679. These settlers lived in a region then called the Falls of the Delaware. They were led by Mahlon Stacy from England. They sought religious freedom in North America. By 1719, the town was called "Trent-towne." This name honored William Trent, a wealthy merchant and landholder. The name was eventually shortened to Trenton.

Trenton played a major role during the American Revolutionary War. On December 25–26, 1776, George Washington crossed the icy Delaware River. His army defeated Hessian troops in the Battle of Trenton.

A second battle, the Battle of the Assunpink Creek, occurred on January 2, 1777. The city also held a very brief title of national importance. From November 1 to December 24, 1784, Trenton was the capital of the United States. The Congress of the Confederation met at the French Arms Tavern during this time. In 1789, the city hosted a reception for George Washington. This was during his journey to New York for his first inauguration.

The city's official status grew throughout the late 18th century. Trenton became the capital of New Jersey on November 25, 1790. The New Jersey State House was built in 1792. This building is the third-oldest state house in the country. In 1799, the federal government moved its offices to Trenton temporarily. This move happened because of a yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, the U.S. Army used a site on Broad Street as a primary hospital. These events helped establish Trenton as a center for government and military activity.

Industrial development transformed the city during the 19th century. The completion of the Delaware and Raritan Canal and the Camden and Amboy Railroad spurred growth.

Trenton became a major hub for many different manufacturing industries. Factories produced iron, steel, rubber, and glass. In 1848, John Roebling moved his wire rope mill to the city. His factory manufactured suspension cables for structures like the Brooklyn Bridge. The city was also famous for its ceramics industry. From the 1850s to the 1950s, it was called the "Staffordshire of America." One famous company, Lenox, Inc., produced fine china for several U.S. Presidents.

Modern Trenton relies heavily on its role in government and transportation. Today, the economy is dominated by the Government of New Jersey. The city is also a major transit hub. It is the only city in New Jersey served by three commuter rail systems. These systems are Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA.

This connectivity supports transit-oriented development in the area. The city's population has seen recent changes. The 2020 census counted 90,871 residents. This was an increase of 5,958 people from the 2010 census. In 2022, estimates placed the population at 89,661. This makes Trenton the 382nd-most-populous city in the United States.

Trenton has a long history of institutional growth. Several colleges were founded in the city, including the College of New Jersey in 1855. Rider University was founded in 1865. Mercer Community College began in 1966. The city's boundaries also changed many times through annexation. It absorbed several boroughs and townships between 1851 and 1900. These changes helped the city grow into the urban center it is today. The city continues to balance its industrial past with its role as a modern state capital.