Canton, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canton, Mississippi had a total population of 10,811, the 38th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $38,337, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Canton Quick Facts
How Canton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,863 | 10,811 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $34,812 | $38,337 | +10.1% |
| Median home value | $111,800 | $112,000 | +0.2% |
How Canton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Canton Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 27,946 | $119,338 | 4.8% | $352,900 |
| Ridgeland | 24,587 | $66,038 | 9.9% | $275,200 |
| Gluckstadt | 3,236 | $124,348 | 5.3% | $316,600 |
| Flora | 2,331 | $36,513 | 27.9% | $204,800 |
| Kearney Park | 485 | N/A | 12.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Canton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 10,623 | $44,074 | $159,300 | 34.8% | 29.3% |
| West Point | 9,900 | $38,064 | $153,900 | 16.2% | 25.6% |
| Brookhaven | 11,650 | $36,685 | $121,900 | 21.3% | 28.6% |
| Picayune | 11,900 | $41,213 | $157,100 | 16.2% | 20.6% |
| McComb | 12,049 | $40,707 | $98,700 | 14.6% | 27.1% |
Population Overview
Canton is a small city located in Mississippi, within Madison County. The total population is 10,811. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canton is 35.2 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Canton is $38,337. This is 32% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.3%. This is 76% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $112,000. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Canton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 36.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Canton is Black or African American, making up 74.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 19.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.6%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (74.6% vs 36.3%).
Education
25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.7%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canton, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Canton, Mississippi?
Canton, Mississippi has a population of 10,811 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canton, MS?
The median household income in Canton is $38,337, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canton, MS?
The poverty rate in Canton is 33.3%. This means approximately 3,461 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canton, Mississippi?
Canton's population is 19.6% White, 74.6% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canton, MS?
The median home value in Canton is $112,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Canton, Mississippi?
25.5% of adults (25+) in Canton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.