Trenton, Texas
Encyclopedia
Trenton is a city in Fannin County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 662 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
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 car loads 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 twenty-eight. 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.
of 2007, there were 750 people, 276 households, and 187 families residing in the city. The population density
was 416.8 people per square mile (160.8/km²). There were 313 housing units at an average density of 197.1/sq mi (76.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.89% White, 6.34% African American, 1.21% Native American, 6.04% from other races
, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.33% of the population.
There were 276 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,066, and the median income for a family was $43,906. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $26,458 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,129. About 13.4% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.
Fannin County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,242 people, 11,105 households, and 7,984 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile . There were 12,887 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 662 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Trenton is located at 33°25′46"N 96°20′25"W (33.429566, -96.340143).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
History
Settlers from Tennessee arrived by wagon train 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 town site was platted by Dr. W. C. Holmes, a pioneer physician & editor "Trenton Tribune", 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 car loads 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 twenty-eight. 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.
Notable residents
- Noel Ray Miller - A native of Trenton, Noel Ray Miller was a Houston Texas police officer. He was shot and killed by George Moses while attempting to arrest Moses for a drug offense. Moses was later executed for the murder.
- Lloyd Mangrum - Born in Trenton, Mangrum was a professional golfer who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Michael Holigan - Michael Holigan's Your New House is a syndicated home improvement television show which premiered in 1995. A sister program titled "Your New House with Michael Holigan" premiered on Discovery Channel (US) in 1998. Mr. Holigan owns and maintains a 'country escape' in Trenton.
- Woody Watson - Raymond 'Woody' Watson was an American actor who appeared in dozens of films and television movies. Watson was also well known as the voice of the Texas Lottery. Mr. Watson was killed in a tractor accident in 1999 on his farm in Trenton.
- Ernest Ray Kirkpatrick - A native of Trenton, Kirkpatrick was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1947 to 1951. At the age of 26 he became the youngest man in the history of Texas to chair the state's Appropriations Committee.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2007, there were 750 people, 276 households, and 187 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 416.8 people per square mile (160.8/km²). There were 313 housing units at an average density of 197.1/sq mi (76.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.89% White, 6.34% African American, 1.21% Native American, 6.04% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.33% of the population.
There were 276 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,066, and the median income for a family was $43,906. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $26,458 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $22,129. About 13.4% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.