Youth Involvement in the Justice System

• Juvenile Arrest Rates: In 2022, Trenton had one of the highest juvenile arrest rates in New Jersey. According to data from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Trenton's youth (aged 10-17) are more than twice as likely to be arrested compared to other areas in the state.

Source: New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Juvenile Justice Commission 2022 Annual Report

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• Disproportionate Minority Contact: Black and Latino youth in Trenton are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system. African American youth make up 68% of juvenile arrests, despite only making up 50% of the youth population.

 

Source: National Disproportionate Minority Contact Databook, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

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Educational Inequities

• Graduation Rates: The graduation rate in Trenton Public Schools in 2022 was 69%, below the state average of 91%. These disparities have significant implications for economic mobility and involvement in the justice system.

 

Source: New Jersey Department of Education, 2022 School Performance Reports

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• Chronic Absenteeism: Approximately 30% of students in Trenton schools are chronically absent, which is linked to higher dropout rates and lower academic performance.

 

Source: Trenton Public Schools 2022-2023 Accountability Report

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Economic Disparities

• Poverty Levels: As of 2022, 27.3% of Trenton residents live below the poverty line, which is more than double the state average of 11.5%. Poverty is a key factor influencing youth involvement in criminal activity, housing instability, and poor mental health outcomes.

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Community Survey Data

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• Unemployment: The unemployment rate in Trenton was 9.5% in 2023, significantly higher than New Jersey’s overall unemployment rate of 3.7%.

 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trenton Metropolitan Area, 2023

 

Mental Health and Substance Use

• Access to Mental Health Services: Trenton has been identified as an area with limited access to mental health services. Approximately 1 in 5 children in Trenton has experienced a mental health challenge, but many do not receive the necessary support due to systemic barriers.

 

Source: New Jersey Department of Children and Families, 2022 Children’s System of Care Annual Report

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• Substance Use: In Mercer County, opioid-related overdoses have increased by 15% from 2020 to 2022, with Trenton being the most affected area. This highlights the need for interventions addressing mental health and substance use.

 

Source: New Jersey Department of Health, Opioid Overdose Data Dashboard 2023

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Community Safety

• Crime Rates: Trenton’s violent crime rate is nearly three times the national average, with high rates of gun violence affecting young people. In 2022, there were 40 homicides in Trenton, many involving individuals under the age of 25.

 

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, Trenton, 2022

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• Youth Safety: Trenton's neighborhoods with the highest rates of poverty also report the highest levels of violence, exacerbating trauma among local youth.  

 

Source: Trenton Department of Public Safety, 2022 Annual Crime Report