Trenton, New Jersey
Capital of New Jersey and brief U.S. capital.
Trenton is the capital of New Jersey and the seat of Mercer County. For a brief period in 1784, from November 1 to December 24, it also served as the capital of the United States. The city anchors the Trenton–Princeton metropolitan statistical area alongside Princeton, which covers all of Mercer County for statistical purposes and is part of the larger New York combined statistical area. However, Trenton borders the Philadelphia metro area to its west and was itself included in the Philadelphia combined statistical area from 1990 to 2000.
As of the 2020 census, Trenton had a population of 90,871, making it the fifth-largest city in Central Jersey and the tenth-most-populous municipality statewide. This represented an increase of 5,958 residents (7.0%) from the 2010 count of 84,913, which had itself declined by 490 (0.6%) from the 2000 figure of 85,403. By 2025, the Census Bureau estimated the population at 91,506, ranking it 383rd nationally. Trenton is the only city in New Jersey served by three rail systems—Amtrak (intercity passenger rail), NJ Transit, and SEPTA—and has promoted transit-oriented development in response.
The area’s earliest known inhabitants were the Lenape, specifically the Axion band, the largest tribe on the Delaware River in the mid-17th century. European settlement began in 1679, when Quakers fleeing persecution in England, led by Mahlon Stacy from Handsworth, Sheffield, established a community at the Falls of the Delaware. By 1719, the settlement was called “Trent-towne” after William Trent, a prominent landholder who bought much of the land from Stacy’s family; the name was later shortened to Trenton. The first municipal boundaries were recorded on March 2, 1720, and a courthouse and jail were built around that time.
In 1758, the Old Barracks were constructed to house British soldiers during the French and Indian War. On January 19, 1764, Benjamin Franklin, then Postmaster General of the colonies, appointed Abraham Hunt—a lieutenant colonel in the Hunterdon County militia and a prominent merchant—as Trenton’s first postmaster. Hunt was reappointed on October 13, 1775, after the American Revolutionary War began. During the war, Trenton was the site of the Battle of Trenton: on December 25–26, 1776, George Washington crossed the icy Delaware River and defeated Hessian troops stationed there.
Quick Facts
- Settlement Type
- State capital
- Nicknames
- The Capital City, / Turning Point of the Revolution
- Motto
- "Trenton Makes, The World Takes"
- Government Type
- Faulkner Act
- Governing Body
- City Council
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Lenape Native Americans, specifically the Axion band. The first European settlement was established by Quakers in 1679, led by Mahlon Stacy from England. By 1719, the town adopted the name 'Trent-towne' after William Trent, later shortened to Trenton. A courthouse and jail were constructed around 1720.
During the American Revolutionary War, Trenton was the site of the Battle of Trenton on December 25–26, 1776, where George Washington and his army crossed the icy Delaware River and defeated Hessian troops. The second battle, the Battle of the Assunpink Creek, was fought on January 2, 1777. The Trenton Battle Monument, a 150-foot granite column topped with a statue of George Washington, was built in 1893 to commemorate the battle.
Trenton became the state capital in 1790. The city historically had a major manufacturing industry, with factories producing iron, steel, rubber, pottery, and other products. It became known as the 'Staffordshire of America' for its ceramics industry. Today, Trenton's economy is dominated by the Government of New Jersey.
Reader's Guide
Trenton's significance lies in its roles as both a brief national capital and a long-standing state capital, as well as its pivotal place in the American Revolution. The Battle of Trenton, a turning point in the war, is commemorated by the Trenton Battle Monument. The city's industrial past, particularly in ceramics, earned it the nickname 'Staffordshire of America,' and companies like Lenox produced White House china for multiple presidents. Trenton is the only city in New Jersey served by three commuter rail transit systems (Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA), encouraging transit-oriented development. The Trenton Riots of 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., resulted in widespread destruction and arrests. The city's population in 2020 was 90,871, making it the 10th-most-populous municipality in New Jersey. Its legacy includes the Trenton Six case, a controversial legal battle involving coerced confessions and multiple trials.
Did You Know?
- Trenton was the capital of the United States from November 1 to December 24, 1784.
- Trenton was known as the 'Staffordshire of America' due to its ceramics industry.
- The Trenton Battle Monument, built in 1893, is a 150-foot granite column topped with a statue of George Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trenton, New Jersey most known for?
Trenton is the capital of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It also holds the distinction of having briefly served as the capital of the United States in late 1784, and it is historically linked to the famous Battle of Trenton.
When was Trenton founded and when did it become a city?
The earliest recorded mention of the settlement dates to June 3, 1719. It was formally incorporated as a city on November 13, 1792.
Why did Trenton serve as the U.S. capital in 1784?
From November 1 to December 24, 1784, the Continental Congress met in Trenton, making it the de facto national capital for that short window. This placed it briefly at the center of early American governance before Philadelphia resumed that role.
What metropolitan area does Trenton belong to?
Trenton anchors the Trenton–Princeton metropolitan statistical area, which covers all of Mercer County and sits within the larger New York combined statistical area. To its west, the city also borders the Philadelphia metro region and was counted in the Philadelphia combined statistical area between 1990 and 2000.
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