Prehistory

The first Paleo-Indians reached the north-central Florida area near the end of the last ice age, as they followed big game south.^[7][8] As the ice melted and sea levels rose, these Native Americans ended up staying and thrived on the peninsula for thousands of years. By the time the first Spanish conquistadors arrived, there were over 250,000 Native Americans living on the peninsula. The Timucua were a historic tribe across the north central area of Florida, where Trenton later developed.

Within 150 years, the majority of the pre-Columbian Native American peoples of Florida died of new infectious diseases or warfare, with their societies disrupted. Some were enslaved by the Spaniards, and died because of harsh treatment.^[7][9][10] Little is left of these first Native American cultures in Trenton except for scant archaeological records, including a few personal artifacts. By the early 19th century, the remnants of these tribes merged with the Muscogee (also known as Creek) who migrated from Georgia and Alabama. They created a new culture through ethnogenesis and became known as the Seminole people.^[8][10] Most of the Seminole were removed from north-central Florida by the United States after wars from the 1830s to 1842, while some resisted by moving south into the Everglades and survived.

Post-Reconstruction to present

Western Alachua County was developed largely for farms and timber, which sometimes attracted itinerant workers. Trenton developed as a trading and market town for this area, with some professionals who worked here in the early 20th century.

On July 21, 1915, Dr. H.M. Owens was lynched by a mob in Trenton after being told to leave town. He was at the house of Mrs. McGuire, which the mob set on fire after the doctor exchanged fire with the crowd. The doctor was shot to death as he fled the burning house. Dr. Owens's local Masonic Lodge was disbanded in the ensuing scandal and only reopened in the 1950s.^[11][12]

At the time, the city of Trenton was still located in Alachua County, which had the sixth highest number of lynchings of counties in Florida.^[13]

Trenton is in a rural area, and is the hometown of country music singer Easton Corbin.

2018 Shooting

On Thursday, April 19, 2018, two Gilchrist County Sheriff's deputies were attacked and slain by a lone gunman while on duty, eating lunch at a local restaurant. The two deputies were identified by Sheriff Bobby Schultz as Sergeant Noel Ramirez and Deputy Taylor Lindsey. The killer, identified as Gilchrist County resident John Hubert Highnote, was found outside the restaurant in his vehicle, where he had committed suicide. The investigation into any possible motive was inconclusive.^[14]

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,015 people, 656 households, and 445 families residing in the city.^[19]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,999 people, 755 households, and 430 families residing in the city.^[20]

2000 census

As of 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,617 people, 608 households, and 390 families residing in the city. The population density was 623.4 inhabitants per square mile (240.7/km²). There were 690 housing units at an average density of 266.0 per square mile (102.7/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.

In 2000, 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 widow with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-white. 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 2000, 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.

In 2000, 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.