Trenton, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Trenton is a city in Gibson County, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 4,264 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
of Gibson County, and its third largest city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), of which, 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.90%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,683 people, 1,919 households, and 1,207 families residing in the city. The population density
was 847.3 people per square mile (327.0/km²). There were 2,090 housing units at an average density of 378.2 per square mile (145.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.17% White, 32.67% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.98% from other races
, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.
There were 1,919 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples
living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,535, and the median income for a family was $39,630. Males had a median income of $29,675 versus $20,801 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,225. About 12.9% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.
, donated by the late Dr. Frederick C. Freed in 1955. The teapots are especially unique because the candle's glow illuminates the pot's exterior, thus serving as a night light. None of the 525 teapots in this collection is alike, and some are designed as palaces or people in unique still-life castings. The town celebrates its collection with an annual "Teapot Festival" held each spring since 1981.
Trenton is also known for its unusual speed limit of 31 miles per hour (50 km/h), established by the city in the 1950s and posted by signs throughout the town.
Nite Lite Theatre of Gibson County is a non-profit community theatre
project based in Trenton, and established in 1980 with the intent of bringing theatrical presentations to Gibson and the surrounding counties. All work, with the exception of some production staff, is done on a volunteer basis. With most performances at Peabody High School, the history of Nite Lite Theatre includes performances of The Man Who Came to Dinner
, The Sound of Music
, and You Can't Take It With You
.
Trenton is also the home of the Gibson County Saddle Club, providing emphasis to the agricultural and equestrian history of Gibson County. This non-profit organization allows for Western and English-style horsemanship, both in fellowship and training.
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,264 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Gibson County, and its third largest city.
Geography
Trenton is located at 35°58′25"N 88°56′30"W (35.973627, -88.941569).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 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), of which, 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.90%) is water.
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 2000, there were 4,683 people, 1,919 households, and 1,207 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 847.3 people per square mile (327.0/km²). There were 2,090 housing units at an average density of 378.2 per square mile (145.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.17% White, 32.67% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.98% 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 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.
There were 1,919 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% 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, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,535, and the median income for a family was $39,630. Males had a median income of $29,675 versus $20,801 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 $16,225. About 12.9% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Trenton is most famous for its collection of rare antique porcelain veilleusesTeapot
A teapot is a vessel used for steeping tea leaves or a herbal mix in near-boiling water. Tea may be either in a tea bag or loose, in which case a tea strainer will be needed, either to hold the leaves as they steep or to catch the leaves inside the teapot when the tea is poured...
, donated by the late Dr. Frederick C. Freed in 1955. The teapots are especially unique because the candle's glow illuminates the pot's exterior, thus serving as a night light. None of the 525 teapots in this collection is alike, and some are designed as palaces or people in unique still-life castings. The town celebrates its collection with an annual "Teapot Festival" held each spring since 1981.
Trenton is also known for its unusual speed limit of 31 miles per hour (50 km/h), established by the city in the 1950s and posted by signs throughout the town.
Nite Lite Theatre of Gibson County is a non-profit community theatre
Community theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
project based in Trenton, and established in 1980 with the intent of bringing theatrical presentations to Gibson and the surrounding counties. All work, with the exception of some production staff, is done on a volunteer basis. With most performances at Peabody High School, the history of Nite Lite Theatre includes performances of The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedy in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It debuted on October 16, 1939 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. It then enjoyed a number of New York and London revivals. The first London production was staged at The Savoy Theatre starring Robert...
, The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is a musical by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers...
, and You Can't Take It With You
You Can't Take It with You
You Can't Take It with You is a comedic play in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The original production of the play opened at the Booth Theater on December 14, 1936, and played for 837 performances...
.
Trenton is also the home of the Gibson County Saddle Club, providing emphasis to the agricultural and equestrian history of Gibson County. This non-profit organization allows for Western and English-style horsemanship, both in fellowship and training.
Notable natives
- John Wesley CrockettJohn Wesley CrockettJohn Wesley Crockett was an American politician who represented Tennessee's twelfth district in the United States House of Representatives...
- Member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
who was born in Trenton. - Gene HickersonGene HickersonRobert Gene Hickerson was a former American Football offensive guard who played for the Cleveland Browns in a fifteen-year career from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1973. Hickerson was a six-time Pro Bowler from 1965 to 1970...
- Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
offensive lineman for the Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
who was born in Trenton. - Wallace Wade - College football coach.
- Dave BrownDave Brown (meteorologist)Dave Brown has been chief meteorologist since 1977 for WMC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Brown is an American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and holds the Seal Of Approval of the National Weather Association.Brown grew up in Trenton, Tennessee...
- meteorologist & weatherman for Memphis TV station WMC channel 5, an NBC affiliate. - Lew JettonLew JettonLew Jetton is an American blues guitarist and singer, who also spent many years as a meteorologist and local television personality...
- known as a Blues guitarist/singer, while also spending many years as a meteorologist and local television personality, was raised near Trenton. - J.C. McLin - appellate judge, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (2004 - 2011)
- Peter Matthew Hillsman TaylorPeter Matthew Hillsman TaylorFor other people named Peter Taylor, see Peter Taylor.Peter Matthew Hillsman Taylor was a U.S. author and writer.-Biography:...
- author of the novel A Summons to MemphisA Summons to MemphisA Summons to Memphis is a 1986 novel by Peter Taylor which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1987. It is the recollection of Phillip Carver, a middle aged editor from New York City, who is summoned back to Memphis by his two conniving unmarried sisters to help them prevent the marriage of their...
, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1987.