Trenton is a city in Gilchrist County, Florida, United States. The population is projected to be 1,722 as of April 1, 2008. It is the county seat of Gilchrist County[3].
Geography
Trenton is located at 29°36′54″N 82°49′4″W / 29.615°N 82.81778°W / 29.615; -82.81778 (29.615081, -82.817732)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), all of it land.
Trenton is home to the only non-flashing traffic light within Gilchrist County.
Demographics
As of April 1, 2008, there were 1,722 people. The 2000 U.S. Census indicates that Trenton has 608 households, and 390 families residing in the city. The population density was 623.4 people per square mile (241.1/km²). There were 690 housing units at an average density of 266.0/sq mi (102.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.67% White, 20.16% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.
There were 608 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,259, and the median income for a family was $29,773. Males had a median income of $24,000 versus $21,302 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,054. About 18.9% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Trenton Elementary School serves Trenton area students in grades PreK-4. The Principal is Riley Deen and the Assistant Principal is Rhonda Parrish. Students in grades 5-12 attend Trenton Middle High School. The Principal is Lynette Langford, Assistant Principals Emily Carroll and Cheri Langford.
Schools
Trenton Florida is home to two schools - Trenton Elementary School and Trenton Middle High School. As of the 2007-2008 school year, Trenton Elementary School has been awarded a grade of "A" and Trenton Middle High School has been awarded a grade of "B" by the State of Florida Department of Education.
Trenton Middle High School, located on SR 129 in the rural community of Trenton, Florida, is one of two schools in Gilchrist County. Trenton is the county seat of Gilchrist County. Gilchrist County is adjacent to Alachua County to the east, Suwannee County and Columbia County to the North, Lafayette County to the north west, Dixie County to the west, and Levy County to the south. The entire western border of Gilchrist County rests on the famous Suwannee River.
The original school building, built in 1924, still stands but is currently not in use. Various other buildings have been constructed throughout the years to meet the needs of a growing community. Although when it was first built, Trenton High School served kindergarten through twelfth grade, today it is a combination school serving 5th through 12th grade students.
In addition to core academics, THS offers a magnet business program, an engineering academy and an award-winning agricultural program, each offering a strong vocational foundation for Trenton students. These programs serve interested students throughout Gilchrist County. Trenton students may also benefit from the developing music program, dual enrollment classes facilitated through Lake City Community College and a variety of extracurricular sports and activities.
Home to 772 students, Trenton High School population includes 88.2% Caucasian, 7.6% African American, and 4.1% other, 45.2% of students receive free or reduced-priced lunches. Since the 2000-2001 school year THS has been recognized by the State Department of Education as an “A” school.
The mission of Trenton Middle/High School is to inspire students to succeed personally and globally.
Trenton Elementary School is the only elementary school in the small town of Trenton. Agriculture, correctional facilities, self-owned small businesses, and the school system employ most of the population, and many of the parents of TES students work in Gainesville.
TES has a collaborative relationship with most of the area businesses. The community supports education by donating their time, goods, and services during the school year. Scholarship funds are donated by community partners and private parties to help needy students attend special field trips and/or functions with their peers. Tiger Tales Yearbook, TES Safety Patrol, and Trenton Drama Group are supported with monitary donations from some of the major businesses including: Drummond Bank, Capitol City Bank, Ameris Bank, Hitchcock's Foods, Overstreet Mulching, Kincaid Mulching, Country Cleaners, Gilchrist County Journal, Best Drugs, Trenton Medical Center, Inc., Ayers Health and Rehabilitation, and DeChamplain's.
Trenton Elementary School is housed in a seven-year-old Smart School facility. The school population Pre-K - 4 is over 670 and growing yet stays in compliance with class size reduction as required by state legislation. TES is a Title I school with 58.5% on free or reduced lunch. Over 30% of the student population receives services through the Exceptional Student Education program(including Gifted). Racial make-up is as follows: White - 88%; Black - 6%; Hispanic 3%; Asian - 0%; Native American 1% Multicultural - 2%. There are 51 certified instructional staff members and 31 paraprofessionals.
Trenton Elementary School has been an "A" school since 1999.
The mission of Trenton Elementary School is to serve each student academically, socially, and physically in an effort to encourage each to achieve his or her own maximum potential, affording him or her the opportunity to be a positive, contributing member of society.
[1]
Notable natives
Country music singer Easton Corbin was born in Trenton, Florida.
References
External links
