Town guide · Mercer County
Living in Trenton, NJ
Trenton is New Jersey's capital and the Mercer County seat. It is an old river city of about 8 square miles on the Delaware, with historic rowhouse neighborhoods, Revolutionary War landmarks and a major rail hub.
- County
- Mercer
- Population
- About 90,900 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 8 square miles
- Setting
- Historic city on the Delaware River, with rowhouse neighborhoods and a government center
- Main roads
- U.S. Route 1, Route 29, Route 129 and Route 33, with Interstates 195 and 295 just outside the city
Neighborhoods
Four wards and many neighborhoods
Trenton is divided into four wards, North, South, East and West, and within them are dozens of named neighborhoods, from the downtown around the State House to the river neighborhoods and the streets around Cadwalader Park. Several are locally designated historic districts.
- Mill Hill: Part of downtown, with two and three story brick row homes in Greek Revival, Italianate and other styles. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Cadwalader Heights: Detached single family homes mostly built between 1907 and 1930, just southeast of Cadwalader Park.
- The Island: A West Ward neighborhood bounded by the Delaware River and the old Trenton Water Power Canal.
- Chambersburg: Part of South Trenton. It was its own borough until it was annexed to Trenton in 1888.
- Other named areas: Other neighborhoods include Berkeley Square, Hiltonia, Glen Afton, Hillcrest, Parkside, West End, Fisher/Richey/Perdicaris, Franklin Park, Chestnut Park, Duck Island and Battle Monument.
Homes
What you will find
- Row homes and attached homes: Brick row homes are a classic Trenton house type, especially in older neighborhoods near downtown such as Mill Hill.
- Detached single family homes: Found mostly in West Ward neighborhoods such as Cadwalader Heights, near Cadwalader Park.
- Multifamily buildings: Two family homes and small apartment buildings are part of the city's housing, and rent control rules can apply to their rental units.
Worth knowing: Trenton has a rent control ordinance that limits rent increases on many rental units, though owner occupied one and two family homes are exempt. Landlords who do not live on the property must register their rentals with the city. The city also has eight locally designated historic districts, including Mill Hill, Berkeley Square and the State House district, where the Landmarks Commission reviews exterior changes. Homes near the Delaware River and Assunpink Creek can also sit in flood zones, so we check the flood maps on every property.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Trenton
- 3.468%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $3,7932025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $100,000 on today's market would pay roughly $3,468 a year at Trenton's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
The Trenton Transit Center on South Clinton Avenue is a major rail hub. NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line starts here and runs to Newark and New York Penn Station, SEPTA's Trenton Line runs to Philadelphia, the NJ Transit River Line runs south to Camden, and Amtrak intercity trains stop here as well. For driving, U.S. Route 1 crosses the river on the Trenton Morrisville Toll Bridge, and Route 29 follows the Delaware through the city, connecting to Interstate 195 and Interstate 295 in Hamilton to the south and Interstate 295 in Ewing to the north. Route 129 links Route 29 to U.S. Route 1, and Route 33 starts in the city and heads east. The Lower Trenton Bridge, with its well known Trenton Makes The World Takes sign, also crosses to Pennsylvania.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Cadwalader Park: The city's largest park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, with the Trenton City Museum in Ellarslie Mansion at its center.
- Old Barracks: A colonial barracks dating to 1758, near the State House.
- New Jersey State House: The seat of state government, first built in 1792, and the heart of the State House Historic District.
- Trenton Battle Monument: A monument marking the Battle of Trenton, in the Battle Monument neighborhood.
- William Trent House: A house built in 1719 by William Trent, for whom the city is named.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Trenton
What are property taxes in Trenton, NJ?
Trenton City's 2025 effective tax rate is 3.468 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $3,793, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Does Trenton have rent control?
Yes. Trenton's rent control ordinance generally limits rent increases for covered units, with larger increases needing approval from the city's Rent Stabilization Board. Owner occupied one and two family homes, subsidized housing and newly created units renting for the first time are among the exemptions.
Can you take the train from Trenton to New York and Philadelphia?
Yes. NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line runs from the Trenton Transit Center to Newark and New York Penn Station, and SEPTA's Trenton Line runs to Philadelphia. Amtrak and the NJ Transit River Line to Camden also stop there.
Is West Trenton part of Trenton?
No. West Trenton is a section of Ewing Township, which borders the city. It is a separate municipality with its own taxes. The West Trenton station there is on SEPTA's West Trenton Line.
Are there historic districts in Trenton?
Yes. The city has eight locally designated historic districts, including Mill Hill, Berkeley Square, Hanover/Academy and the State House district. The city's Landmarks Commission reviews exterior alterations and new construction in them.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Trenton
Buying or selling in Trenton?
Trenton is a city of blocks
In Trenton, rent control, eight local historic districts and flood zones along the Delaware and Assunpink Creek can all touch one property. We check each of them first, then give you a straight answer on value and the ways you could sell.
Call or text either of us directly.