Checked
Canton, NC
Town in Haywood County, North Carolina.
Population
4,419
Land area
3.7sq mi
People per sq mi
1,179
ZIP codes
0
Canton and its ZIP codes
Canton at a glance
- Canton is about 5.3 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $69,924 a year, 3% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $246,700 (15% below North Carolina) and median rent is $790 a month.
Local data for Canton, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Canton, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$69,924
Poverty rate
15.0%
Median home value
$246,700
Median rent
$790/mo
Homeownership
70.6%
Bachelor's or higher
17.7%
Median age
36.7
Average commute
24.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (556), Irish Americans (341), Mexican Americans (193).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Haywood County. PPP loans are for Canton.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Aug 2026, -0.9 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$49,480
17,431 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$58,464
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.77B
FY 2026, $28,431 per person
How people get to work
Canton, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone87.7%
- Carpooled5.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other5.1%
- Worked from home2.2%
Average one-way commute: 24.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Canton, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
564
Countywide, mostly winter weather
Flood insurance policies
695
2.0% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 25°F
45.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Canton, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
33.3%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
10.7%
U.S. 12.1% -1.4 pts
Smoking
14.3%
U.S. 12.8% +1.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.2%
U.S. 11.1% -1.9 pts
Cities near Canton
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| West CantonCensus-designated place | 1.5 mi | 1.3 |
| ClydeTown | 4.2 mi | 0.9 |
| Lake JunaluskaCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 5.3 |
| WaynesvilleTown | 10 mi | 9 |
| Maggie ValleyTown | 12 mi | 3.5 |
| Bent CreekCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.2 |
| EmmaCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 1.1 |
| WoodfinTown | 16 mi | 9.3 |
| Avery CreekCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 1.7 |
| Biltmore ForestTown | 17 mi | 2.9 |
| AshevilleCity | 18 mi | 45.5 |
| Mills RiverTown | 18 mi | 22.4 |
| WeavervilleTown | 19 mi | 4 |
| Royal PinesCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 2.7 |
| FletcherTown | 20 mi | 6.3 |
| MarshallTown | 20 mi | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Canton, NC in?
- Canton is in Haywood County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Canton, NC?
- About 4,419 people live in Canton, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Canton?
- Nearby places include West Canton (1.5 mi), Clyde (4.2 mi), Lake Junaluska (7.6 mi), Waynesville (10 mi), Maggie Valley (12 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023