Canton is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Mississippi, United States, and is situated in the northern part of the metropolitan area surrounding the state capital, Jackson. The population of Canton was 10,948 at the 2020 census,

|source 2 = National Weather Service

Demographics

thumb|right|Courthouse Square

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Canton had a population of 10,948. There were 4,057 households, including 2,953 families. The median age was 36.5 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.0 males age 18 and over.

90.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 10.0% lived in rural areas.

Of the 4,057 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 25.6% were married-couple households, 22.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 45.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 13,189 people and 4,494 households in the city with an average household size of 2.99. The population density was . There were 4,933 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 19.5% White, 74.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% of the population.

The age distribution was 27.5% under the age of 18 and 10.8% 65 or older. 50.8% of the population were female.

The median household income was $33,350. The per capita income for the city was $15,192. About 31.4% of the population were below the poverty line.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 12,911 people in 4,093 households, including 2,991 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 4,333 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 18.64% White, 80.30% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.43% of the population.

Of the 4,093 households 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 34.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 23.8% of households were one person and 10.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.55.

The age distribution was 32.3% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.

The median household income was $24,237 and the median family income was $27,782. Males had a median income of $25,179 versus $20,815 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,643. About 27.7% of families and 34.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.8% of those under age 18 and 25.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The city council consists of seven wards with each ward electing one member. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote.

In 2025, Tim Taylor, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Canton.

Economy

A Nissan plant is sited just outside the southwest city limits. In 2011 Canton officials considered annexing it.

Notable people

  • Barbara Blackmon (born 1955), Former Mississippi State Senator and Attorney; 2003 Mississippi Lieutenant Governor candidate.
  • Edward Blackmon Jr. (born 1947), Former Mississippi State Representative and an attorney; Tougaloo College's board of trustees
  • Sister Thea Bowman (1937–1990), Roman Catholic nun (Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration)
  • Flonzie Brown Wright (born 1942), African-American civil rights activist
  • The Canton Spirituals, gospel recording group
  • Homer Casteel (1879–1958), lieutenant governor from 1920 to 1924
  • Annie Bell Robinson Devine (1912–2000), civil rights activist
  • Earl B. Dickerson (1891–1986), World War I veteran, first black graduate from University of Chicago Law School, civil rights attorney, argued Hansberry v. Lee before the United States Supreme Court, founding member of the American Legion
  • George Doherty (1920–1987), football player, Buffalo Bills
  • Scott Field (1847–1931), U.S. congressman from Texas
  • Rowland Garrett (born 1950), professional basketball player
  • L. C. Greenwood (1946–2013), NFL player with the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Caroline Herring (born 1969), folk singer
  • Elmore James (1918–1963), blues singer, slide guitarist
  • Sonny Landreth (born 1951), blues guitarist
  • Ronnie Lester (born 1959), University of Iowa basketball All-American, NBA player for Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers
  • Damien Lewis (born 1997), NFL player for the Carolina Panthers
  • Samuel Mockbee (1944–2001), architect
  • Rev. Cleophus Robinson (1932–1998), gospel singer
  • John Henry Rogers (1845–1911), congressman from Arkansas and a federal judge; grew up near Madison
  • Reed Stringer (born 1979), college football coach
  • Arthur Tate (born 1939), Mississippi state senator
  • William M. Walton (1832–1915), Texas Attorney General
  • Quinndary Weatherspoon (born 1996), NBA player

Mississippi Blues Trail

Canton is officially on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Elmore James, a blues singer and a familiar figure in Canton, learned electronics by working in a radio repair shop on Hickory Street. Canton is rich in blues history centered on the juke joints of Hickory Street, known to locals as "The Hollow", as well as other places in Canton. A Mississippi Blues Trail historic marker was placed in Canton on Hickory Street to honor the contribution of James to the development of the blues in Mississippi. Other noted blues performers associated with Canton include Grady Champion, Little Brother Montgomery, William "Do-Boy" Diamond, Boyd Rivers and Johnny Temple. Musicians include studio guitarist Bucky Barrett and the slide guitarist Sonny Landreth. Gospel singers include the Canton Spirituals and Reverend Cleophus Robinson.

In his dedication of Hickory Street, Governor Haley Barbour said,