Trenton's small-town charm draws new residents and ideas
When Luke Vale decided to quit his Fortune 500 job and move out to rural Missouri to fix up his dream house, he had never even heard of Trenton. He was worried that a small town wouldn't welcome outsiders. But two years later, he's the executive director of Main Street Trenton, an organization that's playing a major role in the city's revitalization. "They metaphorically brought us in with open arms, but quite literally, some people — the first time I met them — hugged me," Vale says. He adds, "I've helped people of all different walks of life, from all different places, start businesses and just become engaged with the community."
Trenton is a quiet city far from Kansas City 's bustle. Home prices are some of the lowest in the region, and when rustic neighborhoods end, farmland stretches out for miles. Though the city struggled after the railroad industry declined, its economy is on the upswing thanks to a local college and Nestlé manufacturing plant. Today, Trenton combines a small-town environment with the growing amenities of a larger city.
Quiet streets with vintage bungalows and Victorian homes
Most houses in Trenton were built from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. Vintage architecture includes some Victorians, bungalows and ranch-style homes. The median yard size is around a quarter acre, and streets feel quiet, with mature trees. Smaller properties that need repairs start around $20,000 to $100,000. Move-in-ready homes with more recent updates are priced from $100,000 to $325,000. Houses around Trenton Lake are typically on the higher end of the price spectrum, especially those with private docks.
High school students can earn free tuition at the local college
Kids may attend S. M. Rissler Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. Trenton Middle and Trenton High School both get a B-minus. Eligible high schoolers can participate in the A-plus program, earning two years of free tuition at a Missouri community college or vocational school.
One of those options is available right within Trenton. North Central Missouri College is a two-year community college with nearly 2,000 enrolled students. The college is known for its nursing program and added a dedicated agricultural campus just south of Trenton in 2011. Plus, a brand-new student center opened in 2025. "The college here is rapidly expanding," Vale says. "They have been for a while."
Expansive recreation options with a nearby state park
The city has basketball courts, playgrounds and ball fields throughout the community. Moberly Park is a go-to in the summer for its swimming pool, and Riverside Country Club has a private 9-hole golf course. Ketcham Community Center offers indoor sports courts and a full-service gym. Kids can also stay busy with activities at Grundy County Jewett Norris Library, which is located in a historic building from 1891.
About 5 miles outside of the city, Crowder State Park spans nearly 2,000 acres, with hiking, equestrian trails and a small fishing lake. "They have some of the state park amenities that you don't think you would find next to a town of 7,000 people," Vale says. "It's on par with things we would have seen in Colorado."
New businesses help revitalize downtown Trenton
As Trenton's economy grows, more investment is flowing into downtown. Organizations like Main Street Trenton have capitalized on this shift by drawing in new businesses, beautifying the area and planning more events. Uprooted Kitchen & Tap got a physical location in 2020 after running a successful food truck for several years. In 2024, downtown gained a game store, Main Street Creamery Co. for ice cream and Farmhouse Table Coffee Co., a favorite for morning brews. "It's just the most classy, beautiful coffee shop," Vale says.
Over on the east side of town, locals can find more chain restaurants, like Subway and Sonic Drive-In. There's also a Hy-Vee for groceries and Hostetler's Market for discount goods.
Country fun at farmers markets, fairs and music festivals
Trenton is called "The Five Points City" due to its unique five-way intersection at the center of downtown. Locals can stop by the intersection for weekly summer farmers markets and the annual Downtown Trenton Wine & Beer Walk. Trenton Fairgrounds are used for the fall-themed Missouri Day Festival and the animal shows and rodeos at the North Central Missouri Fair. On the outskirts of town, Black Silo Winery hosts the Mid-America Music Festival, which attracts more than 3,000 country music fans every year.
City amenities in Chillicothe, Liberty and Kansas City
For a larger city, Chillicothe is just over 20 miles south on U.S. Route 65. It's about 95 miles to reach downtown Kansas City by connecting to Interstate 35. Kansas City International Airport is a similar distance. "We don't even ever make it all the way into Kansas City — we drive an hour to Liberty ," Vale says. "They have all of the amenities, and they also have a beautiful, thriving downtown."
Closer to home, manufacturing is a major employment sector, led by the Nestlé plant in the heart of Trenton. Also in the city, Wright Memorial Hospital is the primary healthcare option for residents throughout Grundy County.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
