Canton, NC

North Carolina

Canton is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,417. Residents earn $64,034 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,417 Population 1,178/sq mi density
$64,034 Median Income $31,626 per capita
$226,400 Home Value $283,196 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
242 Violent Crime/100K 5,207 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$64,034 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$226,400 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
242 violent crimes/100K (36% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,034
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $226,400
20% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 242/100K
36% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.0%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

How Canton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,417
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density1,178/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,034
Per Capita$31,626
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$2,601M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$226,400
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$283,196

Crime

F
Violent242/100K
Property5,207/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault218/100K
Burglary1,114/100K

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.9%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Elevation2,729 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.0%
High School+89.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute23 min
Libraries4

Is Canton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Canton receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Canton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Canton is $64,034, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Canton is $226,400, 20% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Canton is below the national average at 242 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,207 per 100,000, 166% above the national average.

Education

15.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Canton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 10.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Canton has a population of 4,417 with a density of 1,178 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.1%), with 2.9% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

4,417
Total Population
1,178
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Canton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.4%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.6%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Canton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Canton is $64,034, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Canton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,034
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,626
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$64,408

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,983
County GDP$2,601M

Business (County)

Restaurants182
Healthcare148
Retail243
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,697
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Canton is $226,400, 20% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $283,196.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$226,400
20% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$283,196
Median List Price$410,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$410,000
$/Sq Ft$236
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio97.3%
Price Drops22.2%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,800

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,697
6% above US avg
Effective Rate1.63%
In Canton, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.9% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Canton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma11.1%
COPD6.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression28.9%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.5%
Checkup Rate76.4%
Premature Death10,920/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access72.4%
Healthcare Facilities148
Canton has a violent crime rate of 242 per 100,000 residents, 36% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,207 per 100,000 (166% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Canton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent242.2/100K
36% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape24.2/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault218.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,207.1/100K
166% above US avg
Burglary1,114.1/100K
Theft3,802.4/100K
Vehicle Theft290.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Canton has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.1°F
2% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
18% above US avg
Snowfall10.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,729 ft (832 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.7 km²)
Population Density1,178/sq mi
Coordinates35.5389°N, 82.8486°W
County FIPS37087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 15.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 25.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.0%
55% below US avg
High School+89.1%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,178/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities148
Restaurants182
Retail Stores243

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Work from Home3.1%

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