Trotwood was originally called Higgins Station, and under the latter name was platted in 1854. The Village of Trotwood was incorporated in 1901 from portions of Madison Township ; in 1996 the village and township merged into a single political entity. This merger resulted in the creation of a Trotwood neighborhood that is completely surrounded by the City ofDayton. Several smaller sections are attached to Trotwood by only a roadway or a small strip of land. The merger also added a large rural area to this suburban community consisting of farms, golf courses, and large rural estates. On May 27, 2019, Trotwood sustained significant damage from an EF-4 tornado that swept through Dayton area. The city suffered damage to 500 homes and 59 homes were destroyed. The Memorial Day tornado struck at 11:00 p.m. after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 10:30 p.m.
Geography
Trotwood is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Miami River, runs through Trotwood providing fishing and many scenic areas. Also along Wolf Creek is the only state park in Montgomery County. The Sycamore Woods State Park offers horseback riding, hiking, hunting, and Group camping. The city is adjacent to the cities of Dayton, Clayton and Englewood.
As of the census of 2010, there were 24,431 people, 10,404 households, and 6,408 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 12,152 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 28.1% White, 68.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population. There were 10,404 households of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% were married couples living together, 24.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age in the city was 41.8 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.4% male and 55.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,420 people, 11,110 households, and 7,343 families living in the city. The population density was 898.1 people per square mile. There were 12,020 housing units at an average density of 393.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 38.66% White, 58.34% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population. There were 11,110 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96. In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $34,931, and the median income for a family was $40,426. Males had a median income of $33,771 versus $26,324 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,329. About 13.6% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
Roscoe Filburn, defendant in the 1942 Supreme Court case of Wickard v. Filburn, which permitted the Federal Government to regulate intrastate commerce under the Interstate Commerce Clause, farmed near 5150 Denlinger Road in what is now urban Trotwood. Trotwood is the alleged childhood home of John Dorianon the television show Scrubs. Trotwood, OH is the confirmed childhood home of legendary detective Thomas J. Cope.
