Trenton is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in Williams County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 488 as of the 2020 census, and was estimated at 535 in 2025. It is southwest of Williston.
It was first listed as a CDP prior to the 2020 census. The CDP is in southwestern Williams County, in the surrounding areas of Trenton Township and it is on the east side of Hardscrabble Township. It is on the south side of North Dakota Highway 1804.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land.
Climate This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Trenton has a semi-arid to humid continental climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.
Demographics
As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 135 estimated households in Trenton with an average of 3.01 persons per household. The CDP has a median household income of $107,417. Approximately 1.7% of the CDP's population lives at or below the poverty line. Trenton has an estimated 71.4% employment rate, with 25.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.8% holding a high school diploma. There were 178 housing units at an average density of .
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (92.6%), Spanish (0.0%), Indo-European (7.4%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%).
The median age in the CDP was 37.7 years.
+Trenton, North Dakotaracial and ethnic composition Race Number Percent White alone (NH) 166 34.02% Black or African American alone (NH) 0 0.00% Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 223 45.70% Asian alone (NH) 0 0.00% Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0.00% Other race alone (NH) 1 0.20% Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 74 15.16% Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24 4.92%Total488100.00%
2020 census As of the 2020 census, there were 488 people, 188 households, and 116 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 249 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 34.02% White, 0.00% African American, 45.70% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from some other races and 19.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.92% of the population.
Transportation Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Williston, to the northeast.
On Monday, July 29, 2013, An Amtrak Empire Builder train collided with a bulldozer west of Trenton, killing the operator.
Education The Eight Mile Public School District 6.
The area is served by the Eight Mile Public School District 6. - Detail map of Trenton It operates the Trenton School. In the 2025-26 academic year, the district reported a total of 325 students.
References