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CITY

Canton

North Carolina · 4,418 residents (2025 est.) · 3.719 sq mi
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The short version

Canton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $69,924. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $246,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 84%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,419
+10%since 2000
from 4,029 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,188 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 1,083 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
−15%since 2000
from 43.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,418 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Canton
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$69,924
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,775 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,384
+86%since 2000
from $17,995 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.0%
+29.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.359
−3%since 2010
from 0.369 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade30.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$246,700
+84%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$790
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
29.4% rent
Vacancy rate
9.0%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.3%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+38%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Canton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.9%(3,822)
Black1.6%(63)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(97)
Asian0.1%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score10%(402)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.8%(3,923)
Black1.7%(74)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(226)
Asian0.6%(28)
Other3.8%(168)
Diversity Score25.9%(1,146)
Diversity Score
26
+160%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.7%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 10.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.3%
+16.0 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+85%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.7%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.0%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.9%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.1%
+11.6 ptssince 2011
from 55.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.7%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.6%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
53.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.4%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−36.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.5%
+8.3 ptssince 2012
from 13.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.3%
−67.4 ptssince 2013
from 76.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.7%
+15.7 ptssince 2017
from 67.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 95.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 4.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Canton to nearby cities

CANTON VS
Waynesville
Income$54,923−21%
Home value$281,700+14%
Population11,006+149%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CANTON VS
Woodfin
Income$71,384+2%
Home value$366,700+49%
Population8,229+86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CANTON VS
Asheville
Income$71,102+2%
Home value$440,000+78%
Population93,523+2017%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CANTON VS
Fletcher
Income$75,272+8%
Home value$331,100+34%
Population8,373+90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Canton, North Carolina?

Canton, North Carolina has about 4,419 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Canton, North Carolina?

The typical household in Canton, North Carolina earns about $69,924 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Canton, North Carolina expensive?

In Canton, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $246,700, and the typical rent is about $790 a month.

How educated are people in Canton, North Carolina?

About 17.7% of adults age 25 and over in Canton, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Canton, North Carolina?

About 15.0% of people in Canton, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Canton, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Canton, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 672 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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