Canton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canton, North Carolina had a total population of 4,419, the 195th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $69,924, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
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 | 4,417 | 4,419 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $64,034 | $69,924 | +9.2% |
| Median home value | $226,400 | $246,700 | +9.0% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Canton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Haywood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | 15.9% | $281,700 |
| Lake Junaluska | 3,175 | $66,165 | 9.4% | $389,200 |
| Maggie Valley | 2,112 | $68,125 | 14.6% | $320,500 |
| West Canton | 1,412 | $34,464 | 7.9% | $197,000 |
| Clyde | 1,359 | $56,406 | 8.2% | $200,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benson | 4,282 | $67,102 | $279,800 | 29.5% | 14.4% |
| Wingate | 4,425 | $63,068 | $229,800 | 37.9% | 17.0% |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | $512,300 | 51.6% | 5.5% |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | $410,900 | 40.0% | 5.8% |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | $200,200 | 20.1% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Canton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Haywood County. The total population is 4,419. It ranks as the 195th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canton is 36.7 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Canton is $69,924. This is 3% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $246,700. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Canton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canton, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Canton, North Carolina has a population of 4,419 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canton, NC?
The median household income in Canton is $69,924, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canton, NC?
The poverty rate in Canton is 15.0%. This means approximately 647 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canton, North Carolina?
Canton's population is 88.8% White, 1.7% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canton, NC?
The median home value in Canton is $246,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Canton, North Carolina?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Canton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.