Canton, Ohio

Not to be confused with Kenton, Ohio.

Canton, Ohio
City
Downtown Canton
Pro Football Hall of Fame
McKinley Tomb
First Ladies National Historic Site
McKinley Presidential Library
Flag of Canton, Ohio
Flag
Official seal of Canton, Ohio
Seal
Nickname: 
Hall of Fame City
Map
Interactive map of Canton
Canton is located in Ohio
Canton
Canton
Canton is located in the United States
Canton
Canton
Coordinates: 40°48′28″N 81°23′44″W / 40.80778°N 81.39556°W / 40.80778; -81.39556
Country United States
State Ohio
CountyStark
Founded[1]1805
Incorporated1822 (village)
–1838 (city)
Named forCanton, China
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
Area
[2]
 • City
26.41 sq mi (68.41 km2)
 • Land26.35 sq mi (68.25 km2)
 • Water0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Elevation
[4]
1,066 ft (325 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
70,872
 • Estimate 
(2023)[5]
69,197
 • Density2,689.44/sq mi (1,038.41/km2)
 • Urban
295,319 (US: 137th)[3]
 • Urban density1,638.9/sq mi (632.8/km2)
 • Metro
401,574 (US: 136th)
 • CSA
3,769,834 (US: 17th)
DemonymCantonian
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
44701–44711, 44714, 44718, 44720–44721, 44730, 44735, 44750, 44767, 44799
Area code/Area code330 & 234
FIPS code39-12000
GNIS feature ID1086974[4]
Websitewww.cantonohio.gov

Canton (/ˈkæntən/) is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, Ohio, United States.[6] It is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) south of Cleveland[7] and 20 miles (32 km) south of Akron in Northeast Ohio on the edge of Ohio's Amish Country. As of the 2020 census, the population of Canton was 70,872,[8] making Canton eighth among Ohio cities in population. It is the largest municipality in the Canton–Massillon metropolitan area, which includes all of Stark and Carroll counties, and was home to 401,574 residents in 2020.

Founded in 1805 alongside the Middle and West Branches of Nimishillen Creek, Canton became a heavy manufacturing center because of its numerous railroad lines. However, its status in that regard began to decline during the late 20th century, as shifts in the manufacturing industry led to the relocation or downsizing of many factories and workers. After this decline, the city's industry diversified into the service economy, including retailing, education, finance and healthcare.

Canton is chiefly notable for being the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the birthplace of the National Football League. 25th U.S. President William McKinley conducted the famed front porch campaign, which won him the presidency of the United States in the 1896 election, from his home in Canton. The McKinley National Memorial and the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum commemorate his life and presidency. Canton was also chosen as the site of the First Ladies National Historic Site largely in honor of his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley.

Starting in the mid-2010s, Canton began experiencing an urban renaissance, anchored by a growing arts district centrally located in the downtown area.[9] Several historic buildings have been rehabilitated and converted into upscale lofts, attracting hundreds of new downtown residents into the city.[10] Furthering this downtown development, in June 2016, Canton became one of the first cities in Ohio to allow the open consumption of alcoholic beverages in a "designated outdoor refreshment area" pursuant to a state law enacted in 2015.[11][12]

  1. ^ "History | Canton, OH". City of Canton, OH History. cantonohio.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. ^ United States Census Bureau (December 29, 2022). "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications". Federal Register.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Canton, Ohio
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "Driving Directions from Canton, Ohio to Cleveland, Ohio". Mapquest. June 5, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2007.
  8. ^ "Census shows sharp population decline in Canton". CantonRep.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  9. ^ "Canton Arts District in Canton, Ohio, United States – Downtown Canton".
  10. ^ Matas, Alison (September 6, 2016). "Construction of apartments underway at Hercules site in Canton". The Repository. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  11. ^ Wang, Robert (June 3, 2016). "City officials, First Friday attendees kick off outdoor refreshment district". The Repository. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  12. ^ Henderson, Time (October 28, 2016). "To Enliven Downtowns, Some Cities Promote Public Drinking". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 2, 2016.