Trenton, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Trenton, New Jersey had a total population of 90,338, the 6th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $52,537, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Trenton Quick Facts
How Trenton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,966 | 90,338 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $47,102 | $52,537 | +11.5% |
| Median home value | $122,500 | $160,700 | +31.2% |
How Trenton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Trenton Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 30,756 | $192,079 | 6.1% | $1,050,600 |
| Mercerville | 13,535 | $128,277 | 3.2% | $358,600 |
| Hamilton Square | 11,622 | $138,162 | 2.3% | $397,000 |
| White Horse | 10,507 | $105,758 | 2.6% | $308,200 |
| Twin Rivers | 8,382 | $100,833 | 3.5% | $301,400 |
| Yardville | 6,301 | $103,274 | 13.2% | $360,100 |
| Hightstown | 5,920 | $108,987 | 2.1% | $342,600 |
| Lawrenceville | 3,924 | $122,614 | 0.3% | $411,900 |
| Robbinsville Center | 3,777 | $134,388 | 11.1% | $526,300 |
| The College of New Jersey | 3,658 | N/A | 87.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Trenton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passaic | 70,002 | $55,371 | $429,900 | 16.7% | 22.9% |
| Lakewood | 69,585 | $56,968 | $715,500 | 31.9% | 29.9% |
| Clifton | 89,379 | $98,237 | $461,900 | 35.5% | 7.9% |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | $365,900 | 22.7% | 16.4% |
| Camden | 71,496 | $40,546 | $112,000 | 10.1% | 30.2% |
Population Overview
Trenton is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Mercer County. The total population is 90,338. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Trenton is 34.8 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Trenton is $52,537. This is 49% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 122% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $160,700. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 37.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Trenton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 46.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.6%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.0% vs 12.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (46.4% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Trenton, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Trenton, New Jersey?
Trenton, New Jersey has a population of 90,338 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Trenton, NJ?
The median household income in Trenton is $52,537, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Trenton, NJ?
The poverty rate in Trenton is 21.6%. This means approximately 18,849 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Trenton, New Jersey?
Trenton's population is 10.6% White, 40.0% Black, 46.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Trenton, NJ?
The median home value in Trenton is $160,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Trenton, New Jersey?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Trenton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.