Trenton

Trenton, Ohio is going through a growth spurt. Within the last 20 years, the town’s population has doubled, according to the United States Census Bureau. The small city sits between Cincinnati and Dayton in Butler County and has seen many new homes pop up in recent years. Lynn Shaw, a librarian at the Trenton branch of MidPointe Library, says Trenton used to be much smaller. “When my family and I moved here back in 1985, the town was mostly agricultural. Now, it’s a lot more houses where it used to be fields.”

In fact, most of the city is zoned for residential according to city zoning maps. Newer subdivisions are common on both sides of town, with State Street running right down the middle. These neighborhoods have wide streets, with concrete sidewalks perfect for hopscotch and green yards with mower strips. These contemporary homes cost between $300,000 to $400,000, with around three to four bedrooms and two baths. However, the town’s real estate inventory isn’t all new construction. Sprinkled throughout the gridded streets in the north and south, you’ll find mid-century ranch-style houses with three bedrooms and two baths. These homes range between $200,000 to $300,000 but can be as low as $180,000. An even rarer sight is the early-century bungalows and Foursquares in the town center. Some of these historic homes can date back to as early as 1890. Depending on the condition of the home, and in a rare instance, you can see prices as low as $150,000.

One of the draws Shaw saw in Trenton was its schools. “My husband got a job in Hamilton, so when we were looking for places to live, we wanted somewhere where it was quiet, and the schools were good,” she says. Luckily for residents, the schools haven’t changed too much. Both Edgewood City Schools and Madison Local School District serve the town, with zoning typically determined by which side of State Street residents live on. Madison Elementary School has a B rating, Madison Junior High has a C-plus and Madison High School earns a B-minus on Niche.

Between agriculture and residential construction, Trenton has little in terms of commerce. For retailers and big-box stores, residents typically cross over the Great Miami River to Middletown just three miles east. What local businesses there are in Trenton exist mainly along State Street. With a wide menu selection, the local Dragon China offers traditional take-out and a sit-down dining experience. Just down the street, Martin’s Donuts offers donuts, chocolate-dipped wafers, and fritters to satisfy sweet cravings. Get the latest scoop at Whit’s Frozen Custard, where a different flavor is featured each week.

When fresh air is needed, residents can enjoy Trenton Community Park, a small recreational space with a playground, walking trail, and picnic areas. Throughout the summertime, expect to hear the strum of a guitar and a catchy melody from the park’s amphitheater, where the town and local library host the Sounds of Summer concert series. Grab your bat and mitt and head over to Trenton City Park, where there are three softball and three baseball fields.

The small town hosts community events throughout the year to welcome you into the community. At Spring Fest, kids can play on the inflatables, ride the trackless train and go down a giant slide. For the Fall Fest, you can watch a classic car show, listen to live music and bring kids to the fireworks show. At Chrisholm MetroPark’s Cornucopia, you can learn what was grown on the farm and even take home a cornucopia full of goods.

Located about 38 miles from Cincinnati, residents can commute to the big city via Interstate 75 South. In Cincinnati, visit the American Sign Museum and Washington Park. If you're in the market for a quiet town with a wide housing selection and community events, then Trenton is waiting for you.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Bob Benkert

Video By

Samantha Houtchens