View source for Canton, Ohio

{{Short description|City in Ohio, United States}}
{{distinguish|Kenton, Ohio}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Canton, Ohio
| settlement_type          = [[City (Ohio)|City]]
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
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  | image1             = Canton, Ohio (2023).jpg
  | caption1           = Downtown Canton
  | image2             = Pro Football Hall of Fame (23945852607).jpg
  | caption2           = [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
  | image3             = William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.jpg
  | caption3           = [[McKinley National Memorial|McKinley Tomb]]
  | image4             = First Ladies National Historic Site.jpg
  | caption4           = [[First Ladies National Historic Site]]
  | image5             = McKinley Presidential Library (27168764249).jpg
  | caption5           = [[William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum|McKinley Presidential Library]]
}}
| image_flag               = Canton Ohio 1805 Flag.png
| flag_size                   = 110
| image_seal               = City of canton oh seal.png
| seal_size                   = 90
| nickname                  = Hall of Fame City
| image_map                = {{maplink
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| map_caption              = Interactive map of Canton
| pushpin_map              = Ohio#USA
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| pushpin_label            = Canton
| coordinates              = {{coord|40|48|28|N|81|23|44|W|region:US-OH_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Ohio}}
| subdivision_name2        = [[Stark County, Ohio|Stark]]
| established_title        = Founded<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cantonohio.gov/511/History |website=City of Canton, OH History |publisher=cantonohio.gov |access-date=July 23, 2023 |title=History &#124; Canton, OH }}</ref>
| established_date         = 1805
| established_title2       = Incorporated
| established_date2        = 1822 (village)
| established_title3       = –
| established_date3        = 1838 (city)
| named_for                = [[Guangzhou]] (Canton), China
| government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = William V. Sherer II<ref name="mayor" />
| leader_title1            = Council President
| leader_name1             = Kristen Bates Aylward<ref name="council" />
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 68.41
| area_total_sq_mi         = 26.41
| area_land_km2            = 68.25
| area_land_sq_mi          = 26.35
| area_water_km2           = 0.16
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.06
| area_water_percent       =
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 1066
| population_total         = 70872
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     =
| population_est           = 69211 {{loss}}
| pop_est_as_of            = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusQuickFacts">{{cite web |title=Canton city, Ohio |work=QuickFacts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/cantoncityohio |access-date=May 15, 2025 }}</ref>
| population_density_km2   = 1038.41
| population_density_sq_mi = 2689.44
| population_urban         = 295,319 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|137th]])<ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications|title=2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications|author=United States Census Bureau|website=Federal Register|date=December 29, 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_urban_km2   = 632.8
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 1,638.9
| population_metro         = 401,574 (US: [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas|136th]])
| population_blank1_title  = [[Combined statistical area|CSA]]
| population_blank1        = 3,769,834 (US: [[List of Combined Statistical Areas|17th]])
| population_demonym       = Cantonian
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 44701–44711, 44714, 44718, 44720–44721, 44730, 44735, 44750, 44767, 44799
| area_code                = [[Area codes 330 and 234|330 & 234]]
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]/[[Area code]]
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.cantonohio.gov/|cantonohio.gov}}
| footnotes                =
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = −5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −4
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 39-12000
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1086974<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086974}}</ref>
}}

'''Canton''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|æ|n|t|ən}}) is a city in [[Stark County, Ohio]], United States, and its [[county seat]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> It is the [[List of cities in Ohio|eighth-most populous city]] in Ohio, with a population of 70,872 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="cantonpopl">{{cite web|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x1777797393/Cantons-population-plunges-9-7-percent-in-2010-Census|title=Census shows sharp population decline in Canton|access-date=March 11, 2011|publisher=[[The Repository|CantonRep.com]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312104142/http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x1777797393/Cantons-population-plunges-9-7-percent-in-2010-Census|archive-date=March 12, 2011}}</ref> The [[Canton–Massillon metropolitan area]] has an estimated 400,000 residents. Canton is located approximately {{convert|60|mi|km}} south of [[Cleveland]] and {{convert|20|mi|km}} south of [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] in [[Northeast Ohio]], on the edge of [[Ohio's Amish Country]].

Founded in 1805 alongside [[Nimishillen Creek]], Canton became a center of [[heavy industry]] because of its numerous railroad lines. As shifts in the manufacturing industry led to the relocation or [[layoff|downsizing]] of many factories and workers during the late 20th century, the city's industry diversified into [[tertiary sector of industry|the service economy]], including retailing, education, finance and [[Health care in the United States|healthcare]].

Canton is best known as the home of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] and the birthplace of the [[National Football League]]. 25th U.S. president [[William McKinley]] conducted his famous [[front porch campaign]] from his home in Canton, winning the presidency in [[1896 United States presidential election|the 1896 election]]. The [[McKinley National Memorial]] and [[William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum]] commemorate his life and presidency. Canton was also selected as the site of the [[First Ladies National Historic Site]] largely in honor of his wife, [[Ida Saxton McKinley]].

==History==
[[File:William Mckinley Monument Canton OH.JPG|alt=William McKinley National Monument|thumb|Canton is home to the [[McKinley National Memorial]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/mckinley_tomb.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414195430/http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/mckinley_tomb.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2009|title=William McKinley's Tomb – Presidents: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary|website=www.nps.gov}}</ref> (pictured) and the [[William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum|McKinley Presidential Library]]|left]]

Canton was founded in 1805.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=279481|title=cantonrep.com|date=March 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310230620/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=279481|archive-date=March 10, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> Its plat was recorded at [[Lisbon, Ohio|New Lisbon, Ohio]], on November 15, 1805, by surveyor [[Bezaleel Wells]], who later served in the [[Ohio Senate]].<ref name="brick">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bricktileindustr0000mcco/page/8/mode/2up |title=The Brick and Tile Industry in Stark County, 1809–1976 |last=McCollam |first=C. Harold |year=1976 |publisher=The Stark County Historical Society |pages=9–18 |via=[[Archive.org]] |access-date=2023-08-28}}</ref>

Canton was likely named as a memorial to Captain [[John O'Donnell (merchant)|John O'Donnell]], an Irish merchant marine with the British [[East India Company]] whom Wells admired. O'Donnell named his estate in [[Maryland]] after the Chinese port city of [[Guangzhou]], formerly romanized as Canton. O'Donnell was the first person to transport goods from Guangzhou to [[Baltimore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Canton-Ohio|title=Canton {{!}} Ohio, United States|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> The name selected by Wells may also have been influenced by the [[Huguenots|Huguenot]] use of the word "canton", which meant a division of a district containing several communes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalshoebox.org/digital/collection/p17043coll1/id/34465/|title=Bezaleel Wells Founder of Canton and Steubenville, Ohio|last=Heald|first=Edward|date=1948|website=www.digitalshoebox.org|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

Through Wells' efforts and promotion, Canton was designated the [[county seat]] of Stark County upon its division from [[Columbiana County, Ohio|Columbiana County]] on January 1, 1809. Canton was incorporated as a village in 1822 and reincorporated as a city in 1838. Wells donated his personal holdings in the city to Canton; these holdings would become the Christ United Presbyterian Church, Timken Vocational High School and McKinley Park (originally a cemetery).<ref name="brick"/>

===President William McKinley===
[[File:Hon. William McKinley and Chicago Wheelman at Canton, Ohio LCCN96512023.tif|alt=President McKinley front porch re-election campaign in Canton, Ohio 1900|thumb|[[William McKinley|President McKinley]] front porch [[1900 United States presidential election|re-election campaign in Canton, 1900]]]]

For most of his adult life, Canton was the home of [[William McKinley]], the 25th president of the United States. Born in [[Niles, Ohio]], McKinley first practiced law in Canton around 1867 and was prosecuting attorney of [[Stark County, Ohio|Stark County]] from 1869 to 1871. The city was his home during his successful campaign for Ohio governor, the site of his [[Front porch campaign|front-porch presidential campaign]] of [[1896 United States presidential election|1896]] and [[1900 United States presidential election|the campaign of 1900]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanheritage.com/front-porch-campaign|title=The Front Porch Campaign |website=www.americanheritage.com  |publisher=American Heritage |access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> Canton is now the site of the [[William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum]] and the [[McKinley National Memorial]], dedicated in 1907.

President McKinley's impact on Canton as his adopted home is still reflected today in many different ways, and he remains the namesake of [[McKinley High School (Canton, Ohio)|McKinley Senior High School]] of the Canton City School System.

===Debs' antiwar speech===
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | total_width = 230
 | image1 = Debs_Canton_1918_large.jpg
 | caption1 = [[Eugene V. Debs]] speaking in Canton, 1918
 | image2 = 2016 Eugene Debs' Anti War Speech Historic Marker Canton Ohio.jpg
 | caption2 = Ohio Historical Marker for Debs' Anti War Speech at Nimisilla Park
}}

On June 16, 1918, [[Eugene V. Debs]] delivered the keynote speech at the annual Ohio Socialist Convention held in Canton's Nimisilla Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20190923/eugene-debs-1918-canton-speech-got-him-in-prison-he-still-ran-for-president|title=Eugene Debs' 1918 Canton speech got him in prison, he still ran for president|last=Post|first=Terence McArdleThe Washington|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref> At the time, Debs had been a four-time candidate for president and was considered the country's leading socialist and labor organizer. During his speech he decried America's involvement in the [[First World War]], saying, "They have always taught you that it is your patriotic duty to go to war and slaughter yourselves at their command. You have never had a voice in the war. The working class who make the sacrifices, who shed the blood, have never yet had a voice in declaring war."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2017/winter/debs-canton|title=Free Speech on Trial|date=May 16, 2018|website=National Archives|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> Among Debs' audience at Nimisilla Park were agents of the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]].

On June 30, 1918, Debs was arrested and charged with, among other things, "unlawfully, willfully and feloniously cause and attempt to cause and incite and attempt to incite, insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny and refusal of duty, in the military and naval forces of the United States" under the [[Espionage Act of 1917]]. Debs' trial began on September 10, 1918, in the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio|U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio]]. On September 12, 1918, a jury found Debs guilty. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. On March 10, 1919, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] affirmed the constitutionality of Debs' conviction in ''[[Debs v. United States]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/249/211/|title=Debs v. United States, 249 U.S. 211 (1919)|website=Justia Law|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> Debs began serving his prison sentence on April 13, 1919, and remained incarcerated until December 25, 1921, when he was released after [[Warren G. Harding|President Warren Harding]] commuted his sentence to time served.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-01-10 |title=100 years ago, a president forgave his opponent's alleged subversion |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/01/06/warren-harding-eugene-debs/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision affirming Debs' conviction was sharply criticized by legal scholars at the time<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kalven |first=Harry |date=1973 |title=Ernst Freund and the First Amendment Tradition--Professor Ernst Freund and Debs v. United States Freund and Debs v. United States |url=https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=12997&context=journal_articles |journal=University of Chicago Law Review |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=235}}</ref> and is generally regarded as a low point in First Amendment jurisprudence.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kalven|first=Harry|date=1973|title=Ernst Freund and the First Amendment Tradition – Professor Ernst Freund and Debs v. United States|url=https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=12997&context=journal_articles|journal=University of Chicago Law Review|volume=40|pages=235|doi=10.2307/1599114|jstor=1599114|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The lead author of the opinion, progressive [[Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.|Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes]], later changed course that same term and authored a dissenting opinion recognizing the constitutional protection of such speech in ''[[Abrams v. United States]]''. [[Louis Brandeis|Justice Louis D. Brandeis]] was the only other jurist to join Justice Holmes' dissent, and the minority opinion had no effect on Debs' conviction and continued incarceration. The changed mind articulated by Justice Holmes on November 10, 1919, nevertheless had a profound impact on the development of American constitutional law.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cameron |first=Jamie |date=2016-01-01 |title=Book Review: The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind – And Changed the History of Free Speech in America, by Thomas Healy |url=https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/olsrps/174/ |journal=Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper Series}}</ref> His dissent in ''Abrams'' is considered by many legal scholars to be the canonical affirmation of free speech in the United States.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The great dissent: how Oliver Wendell Holmes changed his mind and changed the history of free speech in America |date=2013 |publisher=Metropolitan Books |isbn=978-0-8050-9456-5 |editor-last=Healy |editor-first=Thomas |edition=1. |location=New York, NY}}</ref>

While Debs' speech in Canton and subsequent conviction ultimately aided Debs in delivering the Socialist Party's antiwar platform, his age and the deleterious effects of prison exhausted his ability as an orator. Debs died of heart failure on October 20, 1926.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=October 21, 1926 |title=EUGENE V. DEBS DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/10/21/archives/eugene-v-debs-dies-after-long-illness-socialist-leader-succumbs-to.html?smid=url-share |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> His obituary in ''The New York Times'' recounted his words from the Ohio federal courtroom: "At his trial he admitted the charges against him, declaring he would not retract a word he had uttered to save himself from going to the penitentiary for the rest of his days. Before the sentence was passed on him, Debs said to the Court:<ref name=":1" />

{{blockquote|"Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class I am in it; while there is a criminal element I am of it; while there is a soul in prison I am not free.}}

In June 2017 Canton applied for and received a historical marker from the [[Ohio History Connection]], formerly the Ohio Historical Society. The marker is located next to where Debs stood in Canton on the afternoon of June 16, 1918. It commemorates the significance and legacy of his speech at Nimisilla Park, notes the many speeches at the park by other prominent historical figures, and honors the park's continued importance as a gathering place for the community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20170614/nimisilla-park-to-receive-historic-marker|title=Nimisilla Park to receive historic marker|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

===Major companies===
[[File:Timken Roller Bearing Co. (16100734127).jpg|alt=Timken Roller Bearing Co., 1922|thumb|[[Timken Roller Bearing Company|Timken Roller Bearing Co.]], 1922]]

The [[Timken Company]] has been among the largest employers in Canton for nearly 100 years. In 1898, [[Henry Timken]] obtained a patent for the [[tapered roller bearing]], and in 1899 incorporated as the Timken Roller Bearing Axle Company in [[St. Louis]]. In 1901, the company moved to Canton as the automobile industry began to overtake the carriage industry. Timken and his two sons chose this location because of its proximity to the American car manufacturing centers of Detroit and [[Cleveland]] and the American steel-making centers of [[Pittsburgh]] and Cleveland. By 1960, Timken had operations in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, South Africa, Australia and Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Timken_Company|title=Timken Company |website=www.ohiohistorycentral.org|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> The company changed its corporate structure in 2014; the roller bearing-producing part of the company was separated from the steel-producing part of the company, resulting in two separate companies. The Timken Company continues to manufacture roller bearings, while TimkenSteel produces steel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/article/20140630/Business/140639961|title=TimkenSteel launches a new era in Canton|last=Pritchard|first=Edd|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

Today, TimkenSteel remains headquartered in Canton and employs 2,800 people, most of them in Northeast Ohio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timkensteel.com/en/who%20we%20are/100%20years|title=Made in America for More than 100 Years|website=TimkenSteel|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> The company makes special bar quality steel, used in applications all over the world. The Timken Co. is now headquartered in [[Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio|Jackson Township]], a suburb of Canton, and employs 14,000 people around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timken.com/|title=The Timken Company {{!}} Bearings & Mechanical Power Transmissions|website=The Timken Company|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> The company designs, engineers, manufactures and sells bearings, transmissions, gearboxes, chain and related products, and offers a spectrum of power system rebuild and repair services around the globe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20171226/stark-heritage-timken-name-and-its-tremendous-impact-on-county-history|title=Stark Heritage: The Timken name and its tremendous impact on county history|last=Botos|first=Tim|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

The [[Dueber-Hampden Watch Company]] was an important employer in Canton during the early 1920s. It was formally organized in 1923, having previously consisted of two separate companies: the Dueber Watch Case Company and the Hampden Watch Company. In 1886, John Dueber, the owner of the Dueber Watch Case Company, purchased a controlling interest in the Hampden Watch Company. In 1888, he relocated the Hampden Watch Company from [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] and the Dueber Watch Case Company from [[Newport, Kentucky]] to Canton, Ohio. These two companies shared manufacturing facilities in Canton but remained two separate companies. The Dueber Watch Case Company and the Hampden Watch Company quickly became two of Canton's largest employers. In 1888, the companies' first year in Canton, they employed 2,300 Canton residents. In 1890, Canton's population was 26,337. Thanks to these two companies, Canton became an important center for watch manufacturing in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Dueber-Hampden_Watch_Company|title=Dueber-Hampden Watch Company |website=www.ohiohistorycentral.org|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> In 1927 the company went bankrupt, finally ceasing operations in the city in 1930. The machinery and tools were sold to the [[Amtorg Trading Corporation]], one of Soviet Russia's buying agencies in the US, for $329.000. The company's massive brick factories, which covered over 20 acres and included an ornate 150-foot clock tower, were demolished to accommodate the construction of [[Interstate 77]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/article/20160328/news/160329321|title=1930: Canton watchmakers, wives started Russian watch factory|last=Hoover|first=Shane|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

===Football history===
[[File:Canton bulldogs 1923.jpg|thumb|The 1923 [[Canton Bulldogs]] were [[History of the National Football League championship|NFL champions]]]]

On September 17, 1920, a meeting was held at the [[Hupmobile]] showroom in the [[Independent Order of Odd Fellows]] Building in Canton to found the [[American Professional Football Association]] (renamed the National Football League in 1922). The attendees included [[Ralph Hay]], owner of the Hupmobile showroom and the hometown [[Canton Bulldogs]], and [[George Halas]], owner of the [[Decatur Staleys]]. [[Jim Thorpe]] of the Bulldogs was the league's first president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/news/the-birth-of-the-national-football-league|title=The Birth of the National Football League|last=Klein|first=Christopher|website=history.com|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2019}}</ref> In 2014 a sculpture titled ''Birth of the NFL'' was erected in downtown Canton marking the exact location in the Hupmobile showroom where the NFL was created in 1920.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/article/20140801/News/140809905|title='Birth of the NFL' statue unveiled|last=Lisko|first=B.J.|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

On December 6, 1959, the ''[[The Repository|Canton Repository]]'', a local newspaper, called for city officials to lobby the [[National Football League]] to create a football hall of fame in the community. Canton officials formally proposed their city as the site for the Hall of Fame in 1961. The NFL quickly agreed to the city's proposal. To help convince NFL officials to locate the Hall of Fame in Canton, city officials donated several acres of land on Canton's north side to the project. Local residents also raised almost $400,000 to help construct the Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame |website=www.ohiohistorycentral.org|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>

The [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] formally opened on September 7, 1963. Initially, the museum consisted of two buildings, but in 1971, 1978, 1995, and 2013, the Pro Football Hall of Fame experienced several expansions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/visit/hall-of-fame-history/|title=History of the Pro Football Hall of Fame |website=www.profootballhof.com|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> As of 2013, the museum consisted of five buildings, covering 118,000 square feet. Since its founding, over 10 million people have visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/pro-football-hall-of-fame-welcomes-10-millionth-visitor/|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame Welcomes 10 Millionth Visitor |website=www.profootballhof.com|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> "Welcome to Canton" is the official way of saying congratulations to a new enshrinee.

===21st century===
Starting in the mid-2010s, Canton began experiencing an urban renaissance, anchored by a growing arts district centrally located in the downtown area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.downtowncanton.com/places/category/canton-arts-district/|title=Canton Arts District in Canton, Ohio, United States – Downtown Canton}}</ref> Several historic buildings have been rehabilitated and converted into upscale lofts, attracting hundreds of new downtown residents into the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20160906/construction-of-apartments-underway-at-hercules-site-in-canton|title=Construction of apartments underway at Hercules site in Canton|last=Matas|first=Alison|date=September 6, 2016|newspaper=The Repository|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> Furthering this downtown development, in June 2016, Canton became one of the first cities in Ohio to allow the [[United States open-container laws|open consumption of alcoholic beverages]] in a "designated outdoor refreshment area" pursuant to a state law enacted in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20160603/city-officials-first-friday-attendees-kick-off-outdoor-refreshment-district|title=City officials, First Friday attendees kick off outdoor refreshment district|last=Wang|first=Robert|date=June 3, 2016|newspaper=The Repository|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/to-enliven-downtowns-some-cities-promote-public-drinking_us_5813572ce4b09b190529c35e|title=To Enliven Downtowns, Some Cities Promote Public Drinking|last=Henderson|first=Time|date=October 28, 2016|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==

===Topography===
[[File:Nimishillen Creek West Branch.jpg|thumb|[[Nimishillen Creek]]]]
Canton is located at an elevation of {{Convert|1060|ft|m|sigfig=3}}.<ref>{{cite web | url = {{Gnis3|1048580}} | title = Geographic Names Information System entry for Canton | access-date=January 13, 2007}}</ref> [[Nimishillen Creek]] and its East, Middle and West Branches flow through the city.<ref>[[DeLorme]] (1991). ''Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer''.  Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme.  {{ISBN|0-89933-233-1}}.</ref>

Canton is bordered by [[Plain Township, Stark County, Ohio|Plain Township]] and [[North Canton, Ohio|North Canton]] to the north, [[Meyers Lake, Ohio|Meyers Lake]] and [[Perry Township, Stark County, Ohio|Perry Township]] to the west, [[Canton Township, Ohio|Canton Township]] to the South, and [[Nimishillen Township, Stark County, Ohio|Nimishillen Township]], [[Osnaburg Township, Stark County, Ohio|Osnaburg Township]] and [[East Canton, Ohio|East Canton]] to the east. Annexations were approved in December 2006 extending Canton's eastern boundary to [[East Canton, Ohio|East Canton]]'s border.<ref>[http://www.cantonrepository.com/index.php?ID=326200&Category=11&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0 CantonRep.com – Canton and Stark County News] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070930041156/http://www.cantonrepository.com/index.php?ID=326200&Category=11&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0 |date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=327277&r=20&subCategoryID= |title=CantonRep.com |access-date=January 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191828/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=327277&r=20&subCategoryID= |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|25.48|sqmi|km2|2}}, of which {{convert|25.46|sqmi|km2|2}} is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|km2|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Canton has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfa''), typical of much of the [[Midwestern United States]], with warm, humid summers and cold winters. Winters tend to be cold, with average January high temperatures of {{convert|34|°F}}, and average lows of {{convert|19|°F}}, with considerable variation in temperatures. During a typical January, high temperatures of over {{convert|50|°F}} are just as common as low temperatures of below {{convert|0|°F}}. Snowfall is lighter than the [[snow belt]] areas to the north. [[Akron-Canton Airport]] generally averages {{convert|47.7|in|cm|0|abbr=}} of snow per season. Springs are short with rapid transition from hard winter to summer weather. Summers tend to be warm, sometimes hot, with average July high temperatures of {{convert|83|°F}}, and average July low of {{convert|62|°F}}. Summer weather is more stable, generally humid with [[thunderstorms]] fairly common. Temperatures reach or exceed {{convert|90|°F}} about 10 times each summer, on average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=12527&refer=|title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Akron, Ohio|access-date=November 10, 2008}}</ref> Fall usually is the driest season with many clear, warm days and cool nights. The all-time record high in the Akron-Canton area of {{convert|104|°F}} was established on August 6, 1918, and the all-time record low of {{convert|−25|°F}} was set on January 19, 1994.<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web| url =  https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=cle| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]| access-date = November 24, 2013}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Canton, Ohio ([[Akron–Canton Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1887–present
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 73
|Feb record high F = 76
|Mar record high F = 83
|Apr record high F = 89
|May record high F = 94
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 91
|Nov record high F = 80
|Dec record high F = 76
|year record high F = 104
|Jan avg record high F = 58.1
|Feb avg record high F = 60.1
|Mar avg record high F = 71.8
|Apr avg record high F = 80.8
|May avg record high F = 86.7
|Jun avg record high F = 91.3
|Jul avg record high F = 92.5
|Aug avg record high F = 90.6
|Sep avg record high F = 88.1
|Oct avg record high F = 79.8
|Nov avg record high F = 68.1
|Dec avg record high F = 59.9
|year avg record high F = 93.3
|Jan high F = 35.5
|Feb high F = 38.6
|Mar high F = 48.4
|Apr high F = 61.8
|May high F = 72.3
|Jun high F = 80.4
|Jul high F = 84.3
|Aug high F = 82.7
|Sep high F = 75.9
|Oct high F = 63.4
|Nov high F = 50.7
|Dec high F = 39.9
|year high F = 61.2
|Jan mean F = 27.9
|Feb mean F = 30.2
|Mar mean F = 38.9
|Apr mean F = 50.8
|May mean F = 61.3
|Jun mean F = 69.9
|Jul mean F = 73.9
|Aug mean F = 72.3
|Sep mean F = 65.4
|Oct mean F = 53.7
|Nov mean F = 42.5
|Dec mean F = 33.0
|year mean F = 51.7
|Jan low F = 20.3
|Feb low F = 21.9
|Mar low F = 29.4
|Apr low F = 39.8
|May low F = 50.4
|Jun low F = 59.4
|Jul low F = 63.4
|Aug low F = 61.9
|Sep low F = 54.9
|Oct low F = 44.0
|Nov low F = 34.2
|Dec low F = 26.1
|year low F = 42.1
|Jan avg record low F = −1.3
|Feb avg record low F = 3.1
|Mar avg record low F = 11.0
|Apr avg record low F = 24.3
|May avg record low F = 35.5
|Jun avg record low F = 44.8
|Jul avg record low F = 52.6
|Aug avg record low F = 51.2
|Sep avg record low F = 41.1
|Oct avg record low F = 30.4
|Nov avg record low F = 19.3
|Dec avg record low F = 8.2
|year avg record low F = −3.5
|Jan record low F = −25
|Feb record low F = −20
|Mar record low F = −6
|Apr record low F = 10
|May record low F = 24
|Jun record low F = 32
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 39
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 20
|Nov record low F = −1
|Dec record low F = −16
|year record low F = -25
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.92
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.44
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.23
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.86
|May precipitation inch = 4.13
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.43
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.14
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.61
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.50
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.34
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.08
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.89
|year precipitation inch = 41.57
|Jan snow inch = 13.4
|Feb snow inch = 12.0
|Mar snow inch = 7.6
|Apr snow inch = 1.7
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 3.3
|Dec snow inch = 8.9
|year snow inch = 47.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 17.8
|Feb precipitation days = 14.5
|Mar precipitation days = 14.2
|Apr precipitation days = 14.6
|May precipitation days = 14.1
|Jun precipitation days = 12.4
|Jul precipitation days = 11.8
|Aug precipitation days = 10.1
|Sep precipitation days = 9.9
|Oct precipitation days = 12.0
|Nov precipitation days = 12.5
|Dec precipitation days = 16.0
|year precipitation days = 159.9
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 13.3
|Feb snow days = 10.0
|Mar snow days = 6.7
|Apr snow days = 2.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.4
|Nov snow days = 3.4
|Dec snow days = 9.5
|year snow days = 45.3
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA/><ref name="NOAA KCAK">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014895&format=pdf |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=Station: Akron Canton RGNL AP, OH |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |access-date=May 9, 2021 }}</ref>
|date=February 2012
}}

===Address system===
Canton's street layout forms the basis for the system of addresses in Stark County.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} Canton proper is divided into address quadrants (NW, NE, SW, SE) by Tuscarawas Street (dividing N and S) and Market Avenue (dividing E and W). Due to shifts in the street layout, the E–W divider becomes Cleveland Avenue south of the city, merging onto Ridge Road farther out. The directionals are noted as suffixes to the street name (e.g. Tuscarawas St W, 55th Street NE). Typically within the city numbered streets run east and west and radiate from the Tuscarawas Street baseline, while named avenues run north and south.

=== Neighborhoods ===
[[File:Yale and 22nd, Canton.jpg|thumb|Houses at the corner of Yale Avenue and 22nd Street in the [[Ridgewood Historic District]]]]
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* Applecrest
* Avondale
* Colonial Heights
* Crystal Park<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Mahoning+Rd+NE+and+Harrisburg+Rd+NE,+Canton+OH+44705&ll=40.809782,-81.34964&spn=0.014584,0.043259&om=1/|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref>
* Downtown
* Dueber
* Edgefield
* Gibbs
* Harrison Hills
* Hills and Dales
* Harter Heights<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Harter+Ave+NW+and+3rd+St.+NW,+Canton+OH++44708&ll=40.802245,-81.418262&spn=0.013676,0.043259&om=1/|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref>
* Lathrop
* Market Heights<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketheights.org/|title=Market Heights Neighborhood Association|website=www.marketheights.org}}</ref>
* Mt. Vernon
* [[Ridgewood Historic District|Ridgewood]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicridgewood.com/|title=Historic Ridgewood – Home|website=historicridgewood.com}}</ref>
* Plain Center Estates
* Sherrick Road Corridor
* Shorb
* Summit
* Vassar Park<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vassar+Park,+Canton,+OH/@40.8164015,-81.3831467,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8836d067ed2bb403:0xc4f3f29efda2f950!8m2!3d40.8162097!4d-81.3743117|title = Vassar Park · Canton, OH}}</ref>
* West Branch Park
* West Park<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/WestParkNeighborhood|title=West Park Neighborhood|website=Facebook}}</ref>{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}
* Westbrook Veterans Memorial Park
{{div col end}}

The [[Ridgewood Historic District]] is a historic residential neighborhood in Canton that, due to its architectural significance, was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places|U.S. National Register of Historic Places]] on December 19, 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/82001489|title=Ridgewood Historic District, National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service|date=December 19, 1982|website=npgallery.nps.gov|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> The neighborhood consists of preserved, architect-designed [[Revivalism (architecture)|Revival style buildings]] of the [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor]], [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]], and [[Romanesque Revival architecture|French-Norman]] styles built in the early 20th century with amenities such as original brick streets and locally produced street lighting standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20180816/look-inside-cantons-ridgewood-area-as-it-turns-100|title=A look inside Canton's Ridgewood area as it turns 100|last=Brown|first=Gary|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> The District features homes designed by several distinguished architects, including Charles Firestone,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20171016/charles-firestone-put-his-architectural-stamp-on-stark-county|title=Charles Firestone put his architectural stamp on Stark County|last=Botos|first=Tim|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> Herman Albrecht,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20171017/stark-heritage-herman-j-albrecht|title=Stark Heritage: Herman J. Albrecht|last=Botos|first=Tim|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> and Louis Hoicowitz.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20160717/starks-famous-louis-hoicowitz|title=Stark's Famous: Louis Hoicowitz|website=The Repository|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{update|section|date=August 2021|reason=Demographic data from the 2020 Census is now available}}
{{US Census population
|1830= 1257
|1850= 2603
|1860= 4041
|1870= 8660
|1880= 12258
|1890= 26189
|1900= 30667
|1910= 50217
|1920= 87091
|1930= 104906
|1940= 108401
|1950= 116912
|1960= 113631
|1970= 110053
|1980= 94730
|1990= 84161
|2000= 80806
|2010= 73007
|2020= 70872
|estyear=2024
|estimate=69211
|estref=<ref name="USCensusQuickFacts"/>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name=Census1910>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/36894832v3ch3.pdf|work=1910 U.S. Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Census1930>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|work=1930 US Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Area.png|thumb|Location of the [[Canton–Massillon metropolitan area]] in Ohio]]
Canton is the largest principal city of the [[Canton–Massillon metropolitan area]], a [[Metropolitan statistical area|metropolitan area]] that covers [[Carroll County, Ohio|Carroll]] and Stark counties<ref>[https://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/List4.txt Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Components] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526063716/http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/List4.txt |date=May 26, 2007 }}, [[Office of Management and Budget]], May 11, 2007.  Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref> and had a combined population of 404,422 at the [[2000 United States census|2010 census]].<ref name="GR2" />

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Canton city, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Canton city, Ohio |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US3912000&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Canton city, Ohio |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3912000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Canton city, Ohio |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3912000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>

!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|59,653
|49,591
|style='background: #ffffe6; |43,132
|73.82%
|67.93%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |60.86%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|16,875
|17,501
|style='background: #ffffe6; |17,351
|20.88%
|23.97%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |24.48%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|373
|274
|style='background: #ffffe6; |223
|0.46%
|0.38%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.31%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|253
|243
|style='background: #ffffe6; |295
|0.31%
|0.33%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.42%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|18
|21
|style='background: #ffffe6; |35
|0.02%
|0.03%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|299
|255
|style='background: #ffffe6; |610
|0.37%
|0.35%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.86%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|2,329
|3,223
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,650
|2.88%
|4.41%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.97%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,006
|1,899
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,576
|1.24%
|2.60%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.05%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''80,806'''
|'''73,007'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''70,872'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
As of the census<ref name="FactFinder">{{cite web|title=American FactFinder|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013}}</ref> of 2010, there were 73,007 people, 29,705 households, and 17,127 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2867.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 34,571 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1357.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 69.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 24.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.0% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 29,705 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.8% were married couples living together, 21.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.3% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 35.6 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 80,806&nbsp;people, 32,489&nbsp;households, and 19,785&nbsp;families residing in the city. The population density was 3,932.1&nbsp;people per square mile (1,518.2/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 35,502 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,728.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 21.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], nil% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 32,489&nbsp;households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 26.6% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The median age was 34&nbsp;years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The [[median income]] for a household in the city was $28,730, and the median income for a family was $35,680. Males had a median income of $30.628 versus $21,581 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,544. About 15.4% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:Halftrack-production-3.jpg|thumb| Production of [[M3 half-track]] armored cars in a converted Diebold Safe and Lock Company plant,  1941]]

Canton's economy has traditionally been primarily industrial, with significant healthcare and agricultural segments.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://cantonohio.gov/pdf/CantonFinal%20Draft-03.07.16.pdf|title=Canton Comprehensive Plan|publisher=The City of Canton|year=2016}}</ref> The city is home to the TimkenSteel Corporation, a major manufacturer of specialty steel. Several other large companies operate in the greater Canton area, including [[Timken Company]], a maker of [[Rolling-element bearing|tapered roller bearings]]; [[Belden Brick Company]], a brick and masonry producer; [[Diebold]], a maker of [[automatic teller machine|ATMs]], electronic voting devices, and bank vaults, and [[Medline Industries]], a manufacturer and distributor of health care supplies. The area is also home to several regional food producers, including Nickles Bakery (baked goods), Case Farms (poultry), and [[Shearer's Foods]] (snack foods). Poultry production and dairy farming are also important segments of the Canton area's economy.

Since 2000, Canton has experienced a very low unemployment rate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20141223/BUSINESS/141229747/0/SEARCH|title=Local jobless rate remains low in November|newspaper=The Repository|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> The healthcare sector is particularly strong, with [[Aultman Hospital]] and Mercy Medical Center among its largest employers. Nevertheless, as in many industrial areas of the United States, employment in the manufacturing sector is in a state of decline. [[Ling-Temco-Vought|LTV Steel]] (formerly [[Republic Steel]]) suffered bankruptcy in 2000. Republic Steel emerged and continues to maintain operations in Canton. [[Hoover Company]], a major employer for decades in the region, reached an agreement to sell Hoover to Hong Kong-based [[Techtronic Industries]]. The main plant in nearby North Canton closed its doors in September 2007 due to classified reasons. On June 30, 2014, the [[Timken Company]] and TimkenSteel split, forming two separate companies at the urging of shareholders.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20140630/Business/140639961|title = Canton Repository|last = Pritchard|first = Edd|date = June 30, 2014|access-date = October 2, 2014}}</ref> The Timken Company relocated to neighboring [[Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio|Jackson Township]], while TimkenSteel remains headquartered in Canton. In response to this changing manufacturing landscape, the city is undergoing a transition to a retail and service-based economy.

[[File:Preserved wooster street.jpg|thumb|Preserved bricks manufactured in Canton]]

Beginning in the 1970s, Canton, like many mid-size American cities, lost most of its downtown retail business to the suburbs. The majority of the Canton area's "box store" retail is located in the general vicinity of the [[Westfield Belden Village|Belden Village Mall]] in [[Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio|Jackson Township]]. However, the 2010s saw the downtown area bringing in new cafes, restaurants, and the establishment of an arts district. A few retail centers remain in Canton at or near the city limits. Tuscarawas Street (Lincoln Way), a leg of the [[Lincoln Highway]] connecting Canton with nearby [[Massillon, Ohio|Massillon]], is home to the [[Canton Centre (mall)|Canton Centre]] mall and several retail outlets of varying size. A vein of commerce runs along Whipple Avenue, connecting the Canton Centre area with the Belden Village area. A similar vein runs north from the downtown area, along Cleveland and Market avenues. Connecting Cleveland and Market avenues is a small shopping district on 30th Street NW, and retail lines the [[U.S. Route 62|Route 62]] corridor leading from Canton to [[Louisville, Ohio|Louisville]] and [[Alliance, Ohio|Alliance]].

The city's economy has diversified due to the decline of the [[Manufacturing in the United States|heavy manufacturing industry]]. At the heart of this transformation is the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], with its multimillion-dollar "Hall of Fame Village" expansion project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141111/FREE/141119943/pro-football-hall-of-fame-trustees-approve-master-plan-for-hall-of|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame trustees approve master plan for 'Hall of Fame Village'|date=November 11, 2014|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> This project has been complemented with significant investments by city leaders in urban redevelopment, which continued with the transformation of the Hotel Onesto into the Historic Onesto Lofts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20150202/NEWS/150209912/0/SEARCH|title=Canton City Council to vote on tax break for Onesto|first=CantonRep.com staff|last=report|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> Other urban renewal plans are underway, which include the redevelopment of the downtown Market Square area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20150209/NEWS/150209256/0/SEARCH|title=Plans for Market Square get preliminary OK from council|first=Alison|last=Matas|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> Private investment has furthered Canton's transformation, which is illustrated by the multimillion-dollar creation of the Gervasi Vineyard, which draws patrons throughout the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gervasivineyard.com/|title=Ohio Winery and Italian Restaurant – Gervasi Vineyard Canton Ohio – Dining and Inn Hotel|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> In furtherance of these development initiatives, Canton was one of the first cities in Ohio to create a "designated outdoor refreshment area" legalizing the possession and consumption of "[[United States open-container laws|open container]]" alcoholic beverages in its downtown area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20160603/city-officials-first-friday-attendees-kick-off-outdoor-refreshment-district|title=City officials, First Friday attendees kick off outdoor refreshment district|last=Wang|first=Robert|newspaper=The Repository|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/to-enliven-downtowns-some-cities-promote-public-drinking_us_5813572ce4b09b190529c35e|title=To Enliven Downtowns, Some Cities Promote Public Drinking|last1=Henderson|first1=Tim|date=October 28, 2016|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref>

===Principal employers===
[[File:Market Street, Showing Northwest Corner Public Square, Canton, Ohio.jpg|thumb|Market Street, showing northwest corner of the public square]]

According to Canton's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantonohio.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/391|title=City of Canton ACFR 2022}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
! % of city employment
|-
|1
| [[Aultman Hospital]]
|4,423
|5.9%
|-
|2
| [[Cleveland Clinic|Cleveland Clinic Mercy]]
|2,420
|3.2%
|-
|3
| [[Stark County, Ohio|Stark County]]
|2,172
|2.9%
|-
|4
|[[Canton City School District|Canton City Schools]]
|2,157
|2.9%
|-
|5
|[[Walmart]]
|1,736
|2.3%
|-
|6
| [[Timken Company|Timken Steel]]
|1,613
|2.1%
|-
|7
| Fresh Mark Inc.
|1,593
|2.1%
|-
|8
| City of Canton
|943
|1.3%
|-
|9
| [[The M. K. Morse Company]]
|506
|0.7%
|-
|10
| [[Hendrickson Holdings|Hendrickson USA]]
|401
|0.5%
|-
|
|'''Total'''
|'''17,964'''
|'''23.8%'''
|}

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Palace Theater Canton Ohio.JPG|thumb|[[Palace Theatre (Canton, Ohio)|Palace Theatre]]]]
The [[Canton Museum of Art]], founded in 1935, is a broad-based community arts organization designed to encourage and promote the fine arts in Canton. The museum focuses on 19th- and 20th-century American artists, specifically works on paper, and on American [[pottery|ceramics]], beginning in the 1950s. The museum sponsors annual shows of the work of high school students in Canton and Stark County, and financial scholarships are awarded. Educational outreach programs take the museum off-site to libraries, parochial schools, area public schools, five inner-city schools, and a school for students with behavioral disorders. The city's Arts District, located downtown, is the site of monthly First Friday arts celebrations.<ref>City of Canton, Ohio. (n.d.). Canton First Friday. Retrieved from https://www.downtowncanton.com/canton-first-friday/</ref>

Canton has the main branch of Stark County District Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://starklibrary.org/home/locations| title=Locations | publisher=Stark County District Library | access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref>

==Sports==

===Football===
{{see also|History of the National Football League|Pro Football Hall of Fame Game}}
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | total_width = 230
 | image1 = Pro Football Hall of Fame.jpg
 | caption1 = Entrance to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
 | image2 = Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.png
 | caption2 = [[Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium]] is home to the annual [[Pro Football Hall of Fame Game]] and in 2023 served as a hub for the [[USFL (2022)|USFL]].
}}

Canton is home to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. The [[American Professional Football Association]], the forerunner of the modern [[National Football League]], was founded in a Canton car dealership on September 17, 1920. The [[Canton Bulldogs]] were an NFL football team that played from 1920 to 1923, skipped the 1924 season, then played from 1925 to 1926 before folding.

Canton is the home of the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, which includes a [[hot air balloon festival]], ribs burn-off, fashion show, community parade, Sunday morning race, enshrinee dinner, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Parade. The festival culminates in the enshrinement of the new inductees and the NFL/Hall of Fame Game, a pre-season exhibition between teams representing the AFC and NFC at [[Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballhoffestival.com/|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival {{!}} Canton, Ohio|website=www.profootballhoffestival.com|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref>

[[Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium]], used during the regular season by [[Canton McKinley High School]] (as well as some other area schools and colleges), was rated the number one high school football venue in America by the ''Sporting News'' in 2002.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/article/20150602/SPECIAL-REPORTS/150609973|title=Fawcett Stadium history|date=June 2, 2015|newspaper=Times Reporter|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> This may be partly attributable to the Bulldogs' rivalry with the nearby [[Massillon Washington High School|Massillon Washington High School Tigers]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1994/11/14/132581/the-centurians-massillon-mckinley-is-always-ohios-game-of-the-year-this-one-was-the-game-of-the-century|title=The Centurians|last=Montville|first=Leigh|date=November 14, 1994|newspaper=Sports Illustrated|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> All seven of the [[Ohio High School Athletic Association]] state final football games are hosted in Canton at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The [[Canton Legends]] played in the [[American Indoor Football Association]] at the [[Canton Civic Center]]. Operations were suspended in 2009. The [[Continental Indoor Football League]] also has offices in Canton.

For the 2023 [[USFL (2022)|United States Football League (USFL) season]], Canton served as the hub for the [[New Jersey Generals (2022)|New Jersey Generals]] and [[Pittsburgh Maulers (2022)|Pittsburgh Maulers]], with both teams playing their designated home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.<ref>[https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/usfl-canton-pittsburgh-maulers-new-jersey-generals-tom-benson-hall-of-fame-stadium/95-0713a750-fb75-4adb-a495-797f7a048190 USFL games in Canton to start Sunday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium – WKYC.com]</ref>

===Other===
The first official [[female bodybuilding]] competition was held in Canton in November 1977 and was called the Ohio Regional Women's Physique Championship.<ref name="Women of Steel">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X-80e42RtW0C&pg=PA55|title=Women of Steel: Female Bodybuilders and the Struggle for Self-definition|first=Maria R.|last=Lowe|date=1998|publisher=NYU Press|access-date=March 3, 2017|via=Google Books|isbn=9780814750940}}</ref>

For 10 seasons, Canton was home to an [[NBA G League]] team, the [[Canton Charge]], which started play with the 2011–12 season and home games at the [[Canton Memorial Civic Center]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://canton.dleague.nba.com/|title=Home – Canton Charge|website=Canton Charge|language=en-US|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501010906/http://canton.dleague.nba.com/|archive-date=May 1, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] had full control over the franchise and relocated the franchise in to Cleveland in 2021 when the ten-year lease ended.

The [[Canton Invaders]] of the [[National Professional Soccer League II]] and [[American Indoor Soccer Association]] played home games at the [[Canton Memorial Civic Center]] from 1984 until 1996, winning five league championships. In 2009, the [[Ohio Vortex]] became an expansion team in the [[PASL-Pro|Professional Arena Soccer League]]. Operations have since been suspended.

Canton has been home to professional baseball on several occasions. Several minor league teams called Canton home in the early 1900s, including the [[Canton Terriers]] in the 1920s and 1930s. The [[Canton–Akron Indians]] were the AA affiliate of the major league [[Cleveland Indians]] for nine years, playing at [[Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium]] until the team relocated north to Akron following the 1996 season. Two independent minor league teams, the [[Canton Crocodiles]] and the [[Canton Coyotes]], both members of the Frontier League, called Munson Stadium home for several years afterward. The Crocodiles, who won the league championship in their inaugural season in 1997, moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, in 2002, and the Coyotes moved to Columbia, Missouri, in 2003, after just one season in Canton.

Canton is home to the [[Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps]], a world-class competitor in [[Drum Corps International]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluecoats.com/about/who-are-the-bluecoats/|title=Who are the Bluecoats?'|access-date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042353/http://bluecoats.com/about/who-are-the-bluecoats/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Bluecoats have been a part of the "top five" finalists in the DCI World Championships since 2013, and took home the [[Drum Corps International World Class Champions|Founders' Trophy]] in 2016 and in 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dci.org/news/recap-roundup-2016-dci-world-championship-finals/|title=Recap Roundup: 2016 DCI World Championship Finals'|date=August 14, 2016|publisher=Drum Corps International|access-date=November 29, 2017}}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Canton, Ohio}}
[[File:Stark County Office Building.jpg|thumb|Stark County Office Building]]

Canton has a [[mayor–council government]] and is the largest city in Ohio to operate without a charter. The city council is divided among nine wards with three at-large seats and the council president. In addition, an independently elected mayor serves as an executive. As of 2025, the mayor is William V. Sherer II and the council president is Kristen Bates Aylward.<ref name="mayor">{{cite web|url=https://www.cantonohio.gov/334/Mayor |title=Office of the Mayor of the City of Canton |website=cantonohio.gov |access-date=April 7, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="council">{{cite web|url=https://www.cantonohio.gov/532/Members |title=Members - City Council |website=cantonohio.gov |access-date=April 7, 2025 }}</ref>

Canton is included in [[Ohio's 29th senatorial district]], represented by [[Jane Timken]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langenfeld |first1=Danielle |last2=Naquin |first2=Talia |title=Jane Timken appointed as Senator for 29th District |url=https://fox8.com/news/jane-timken-appointed-as-senator-for-29th-district/ |website=Fox8 |access-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125045754/https://fox8.com/news/jane-timken-appointed-as-senator-for-29th-district/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the 49th district of the [[Ohio House of Representatives]], represented by [[Jim Thomas (tennis)|Jim Thomas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jake Zuckerman |first=jzuckerman@cleveland com |date=November 25, 2022 |title=Ex-tennis pro Jim Thomas to join Ohio House GOP in 2023 |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2022/11/ex-tennis-pro-jim-thomas-to-join-ohio-house-gop-in-2023.html |access-date=July 13, 2024 |website=cleveland |language=en}}</ref> At the federal level, it has been included in [[Ohio's 13th congressional district]] since 2022 and is represented by [[Emilia Sykes]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kreider |first1=Derek |last2=Williams |first2=Patrick |date=November 5, 2024 |title=Emilia Sykes reelected in 13th Congressional District race as Kevin Coughlin concedes |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/05/2024-election-results-ohio-emilia-sykes-kevin-coughlin-race-oh-13-district/75917122007/ |work=[[Akron Beacon Journal]] |access-date=November 7, 2024}}</ref>

===Law enforcement===
In April 2024, officers of the Canton Police Department restrained 53-year-old Frank Tyson after a car crash, with Tyson dying after the restraint. Police took down Tyson to the ground, handcuffed him, and then one officer kneeled on Tyson for roughly 30 seconds, with Tyson stating: "I can't breathe. I can't breathe. You're on my neck". After the knee was removed and Tyson was left on his stomach, Tyson became motionless and subsequently died. Two Canton officers were assigned paid administrative leave during an investigation into the incident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Griffith |first1=Janelle |title=Bodycam video shows handcuffed man telling Ohio officers 'I can't breathe' before his death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bodycam-video-shows-handcuffed-man-telling-ohio-officers-cant-breathe-rcna149334 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=April 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Seewer |first1=John |last2=Scolforo |first2=Mark |title=Body-cam footage shows police left an Ohio man handcuffed and facedown on a bar floor before he died |url=https://apnews.com/article/ohio-police-custody-death-cant-breathe-be0d9d17b35da46f9b8a3187f01fb988# |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>

In May 2024, Canton Police officers arrested a male bystander during a traffic stop after Patrolman Nicholas Casto accused him of taunting his police dog.<ref name=Mitti>{{cite news |last1=DeNatale |first1=Dave |last2=McMullen |first2=Justin |last3=Mitchell |first3=Russ |last4=Hicks |first4=Mitti |title=Canton police place K-9 officer on leave amid internal investigation of dog 'deployed' on suspect |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/canton/canton-police-k-9-officer-internal-investigation-dog-suspect/95-aa1a8543-f4c5-4b4d-92e1-b8881acd93c5 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=[[wkyc.com]] |date=June 1, 2024}}</ref> Body camera footage showed several officers bringing the bystander to the ground, and Casto leading the dog to bite his arm for 15 seconds, despite the bystander keeping his arms still.<ref name=Mitti/><ref name=Weir>{{cite news |last1=Molnar |first1=Nancy |last2=Weir |first2=Kelli |title='Alarming' video shows Canton police dog attacking man during arrest, officer on leave |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/crime/2024/05/31/canton-police-office-on-paid-leave-after-alarming-dog-bite-video/73923078007/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=[[Canton Repository]] |date=May 31, 2024}}</ref> After the dog was removed, Casto praised it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stelloh |first1=Tim |last2=Kelley |first2=Ava |title=Ohio K-9 officer on leave after video appears to show police dog attacking man lying on stomach |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohio-k9-officer-leave-video-appears-show-police-dog-attacking-man-lyin-rcna154989 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=June 1, 2024}}</ref> Casto was placed on paid administrative leave, prompting concern from Canton councilmen.<ref name=Weir/> In early June, Police Chief John Gabbard recommended Casto's dismissal for false statements in his report that justified excessive force.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weir |first1=Kelly |title=Canton police chief says K-9 officer's use of force 'unjustified,' recommends he be fired |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2024/06/07/canton-police-k9-dog-use-of-force-incident-chief-wants-officer-fired-nicholas-casto/74013318007/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Canton Repository]] |date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240721023649/https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2024/06/07/canton-police-k9-dog-use-of-force-incident-chief-wants-officer-fired-nicholas-casto/74013318007/ |archive-date=July 21, 2024}}</ref> Director Andrea Perry, supported by Mayor William Sherer, fired Casto in late June, concluding the bystander posed no threat and Casto's actions endangered officers. Perry confirmed Casto knowingly provided inaccurate information.<ref name=deserves>{{cite news |last1=Weir |first1=Kelli |title='Canton deserves better.' Police officer Nicholas Casto fired for deploying K-9 in arrest |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2024/06/28/canto-officer-nicholas-casto-was-fired-for-deploying-k-9-during-arrest/74244278007/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Canton Repository]] |date=June 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240721023717/https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2024/06/28/canto-officer-nicholas-casto-was-fired-for-deploying-k-9-during-arrest/74244278007/ |archive-date=July 21, 2024}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:NEW MCKINLEY.jpg|thumb|[[Canton McKinley High School]] is the largest secondary school in Canton.]]
Canton's K-12 students are primarily served by the public [[Canton City School District]], which included eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, in addition to alternative education centers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canton City School District / Home |url=https://www.ccsdistrict.org/ccsd |access-date=August 23, 2022 |website=www.ccsdistrict.org |language=en}}</ref> A portion of northern Canton is included in the [[Plain Local School District]], and another overlap exists with the suburban [[Canton Local School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st39_oh/schooldistrict_maps/c39151_stark/DC20SD_C39151.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map : Stark County, OH|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref>

[[Catholic schools in the United States|Catholic grade schools]] within Canton are St. Peter, St. Joseph, and [[Our Lady of Peace]]. Additional Catholic schools in the immediate area include St. Michael the Archangel School (PK–8) and [[Central Catholic High School (Perry Township, Ohio)|Central Catholic High School]] (9–12).{{NCES Private School ID|01062645|school_name=Central Catholic High School |access_date=September 18, 2020|do_not_render=yes}} There is also [[Heritage Christian School (Canton, Ohio)|Heritage Christian School]] (K–12), a Christian grade school and high school. [[Canton Country Day School]] is a private PreK–8 school located just outside city limits founded as part of the [[Country Day School movement]]. Within the city limits is the private Canton Montessori School, which teaches according to the Montessori Plan for Education proposed by [[Maria Montessori]] in the early 20th century.

[[Malone University]], a private, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the [[Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region]], is located on 25th Street NW.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malone.edu/about/stats-facts/|title=2017-18 Stats & Facts |publisher=Malone University|access-date=February 27, 2018}}</ref> Catholic-run [[Walsh University]] is located nearby in North Canton. [[Stark State College]] and a branch of [[Kent State University]] are also nearby in Jackson Township. Also in downtown Canton, there is a small annex for [[Stark State College]] to be used by the early college high school students who are located on the Timken Campus.

==Media==

===Print===
Canton is served in print by ''[[The Repository]]'', the city's only newspaper.

===TV===
Canton is part of the [[Cleveland]]/[[Akron]]/Canton television media market. Four stations are licensed to Canton – full-power [[WDLI]] ([[Bounce TV|Bounce]]) and [[WRLM (TV)|WRLM]] ([[Tri-State Christian Television|TCT]]), and low-power [[WOHZ-CD]] ([[Rock Entertainment Sports Network|RESN]]) and [[WIVM-LD]] ([[Independent station (North America)|Independent]]). The two full-power stations identify as ''Canton/Akron/Cleveland'', serving the entire market, while the two low-power stations specifically serve Canton.

Canton also has a [[cable television|cable]] [[Public-access television]] channel, [[Canton City Schools]] TV 11. The content varies based on the viewer's location. Citizens located in [[North Canton]] will see North Canton's programming instead of Canton City's. Those within the borders of Plain Local Schools will see Eagle Television's programming.

===Radio===
Though it's part of the Cleveland TV market, Canton is its own radio market, served by stations such as [[WKSU|WKRW]] 89.3 ([[NPR]] – [[WKSU]] simulcast), [[WDJQ]] 92.5 ([[Contemporary hits]]), [[WHBC-FM]] 94.1 ([[Hot AC]]), [[WHOF]] 101.7 ([[Classic hits]]), [[WRQK]] 106.9 (Rock), [[WTIG]] 990 ([[Sports radio|Sports]]), [[WILB (AM)|WILB]] 1060 ([[Christian radio|Catholic]]), [[WDPN (AM)|WDPN]] 1310 ([[Soft AC]]), [[WHBC (AM)|WHBC]] 1480 ([[Talk radio|News/Talk]]), and [[WINW (AM)|WINW]] 1520 ([[Gospel music|Gospel]]).

==Transportation==
[[File:SARTA Gillig -1298 (11198856014).jpg|thumb|A [[Stark Area Regional Transit Authority|SARTA]] bus in 2013]]
Canton is connected to the [[Interstate Highway System]] via [[Interstate 77]], which connects Canton to [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]] to the south and [[Cleveland]] to the north.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Driving Directions from Canton, OH to Cleveland, OH |url=https://www.mapquest.com/directions/list/1/us/oh/canton-282039850/to/us/oh/cleveland-282041215|access-date=February 8, 2022|website=www.mapquest.com|language=en}}</ref> [[U.S. Route 30]] connects Canton to [[Wooster, Ohio|Wooster]] westward and [[East Liverpool, Ohio|East Liverpool]] eastward. [[U.S. Route 62]] connects Canton to [[Millersburg, Ohio|Millersburg]] to the southwest and to [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]] to the northeast.

The city has several [[arterial road]]s, including [[State Route 43 (Ohio)|Ohio 43]] (Market Avenue, Walnut Avenue and Cherry Avenue), [[State Route 153 (Ohio)|Ohio 153]] (12th Street and Mahoning Road), [[State Route 172 (Ohio)|Ohio 172]] (Tuscarawas Street) / [[Lincoln Highway|The Lincoln Highway]], [[State Route 297 (Ohio)|Ohio 297]] (Whipple Avenue and Raff Avenue), [[State Route 627 (Ohio)|Ohio 627]] (Faircrest Street), [[State Route 687 (Ohio)|Ohio 687]] (Fulton Drive), and [[State Route 800 (Ohio)|Ohio 800]] (Cleveland Avenue) / A.K.A. Old Route 8.

Until 1990, [[Amtrak]]'s passenger trains ''[[Broadway Limited]]'' and the ''[[Capitol Limited]]'' made stops at [[Canton station (Ohio)|Canton station]]. Amtrak's ''[[Capitol Limited]]'' currently makes stops in [[Alliance station]], {{Convert|20|mi|km}} to the northeast. [[Norfolk Southern]] and the [[Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway (1990)|Wheeling and Lake Erie]] railroads provide freight service in Canton.

[[Stark Area Regional Transit Authority]] (SARTA) provides public transit bus service within the county, including service to [[Massillon, Ohio|Massillon]] and the [[Akron-Canton Regional Airport]]. In February 2022, it was reported that SARTA had hired a consultant group to study the feasibility of a [[light rail]] line from the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] to downtown Canton, with possible expansion to other locations around the county in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SARTA hires consultant to explore light rail between Hall of Fame, downtown Canton|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/02/03/wsp-examine-whether-light-rail-connection-makes-sense-canton-pro-football-hall-of-fame/9283351002/|access-date=February 8, 2022|website=The Repository|language=en}}</ref> In June of that same year, the full plan was released, calling for a nine-mile line from [[Akron–Canton Airport|Akron-Canton Airport]] to downtown, where it would run down 3rd street in a separated lane from traffic. It would connect to existing bus services near [[Belden Village Mall]] and Cornerstone Transit Center. A first round of public meetings was held.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Proposed streetcar service connecting 4 key economic hubs could be coming to Stark County |url=https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/akron-canton-news/proposed-streetcar-service-connecting-4-key-economic-hubs-could-be-coming-to-stark-county |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=WEWS |language=en}}</ref>
{{Further|Hall of Fame Bridge}}

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Canton, Ohio}}

==Sister cities==
Canton has two [[sister cities]]:
* {{flagdeco|ISR}} – [[Acre, Israel|Acre]], Israel
* {{flagdeco|MEX}} – [[Saltillo]], [[Coahuila]], Mexico<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://cantonohio.gov/business/?pg=story&s=176|title = Canton creating Sister Cities in Israel, Mexico to encourage investment|date = December 25, 2009|access-date = January 23, 2015|website = cantonohio.gov|publisher = Director of Development|last = Torres|first = Robert|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160917051358/https://cantonohio.gov/business/?pg=story&s=176|archive-date = September 17, 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Ohio}}
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Canton (Ohio)|Canton, Ohio}}
{{EB1911 poster|Canton (Ohio)}}
* [https://www.cantonohio.gov/ City website]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre =Canton
 | North=[[North Canton]]
 | Northeast =[[Youngstown]]
 | East =[[East Canton]]
 | Southeast =[[Pittsburgh]]
 | South = [[Canton South]]
 | Southwest =[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
 | West =[[Perry Heights]]
 | Northwest =[[Akron, Ohio|Akron]]
}}

{{Stark County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio}}
{{Great Lakes Megalopolis}}
{{Ohio county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Canton, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Stark County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1805]]
[[Category:County seats in Ohio]]
[[Category:1805 establishments in Ohio]]