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Living in Canton GA - What You Should Know Before Moving to Canton
Eric Wirks

Living in Canton GA 🏡 | What to Know Before Moving to Canton

You can and should start living in Canton GA today! The Cherokee people lived in the area of Canton for thousands of years before European-American settlers arrived in 1829. The United States government forcibly removed the Cherokee, and White settlers built a courthouse in present-day Canton in 1833. The community was initially called "Etowah," but it was renamed to "Canton" in 1834. It got its name from Guangzhou (known in English as Canton), a center for the silk industry that townsfolk wanted to emulate. The city was incorporated in 1834.

Canton quickly became a manufacturing and milling town. The Union Army burned Canton down during the Civil War, but the townsfolk quickly rebuilt it. It remained prosperous throughout the 20th century until today.

What is Canton known for? Canton GA is best known for its small town atmosphere and being conveniently located near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Is Canton GA a good place to live? Yes, it's a very nice place to live, with beautiful attractions and a humble small town feel.

But before you start moving to Canton GA, you should figure out how life in this diverse community is. Here's what you should know about Canton Georgia.

Where Is Canton Georgia?

What county is Canton GA in? Canton is the county seat for Cherokee County. Where is Canton Georgia? Canton is in the Atlanta metropolitan area, though it is 40.3 miles from Canton GA to Atlanta GA. It is a suburb of Atlanta, though it does not border Atlanta directly. Canton Georgia borders Keithsburg, Avery, Hickory Flat, Holly Springs, Sixes, and Waleska.

Canton contains or is near a number of beautiful and easily accessible geographic features. Hickory Log Creek Reservoir is in northern Canton. Etowah River runs through the center of the community and throughout the Canton area. Downtown Canton is a small commercial and residential area surrounded by undeveloped areas. Most of Canton is undeveloped, so you have fewer options for living in Canton GA than in other cities.

The Cherokee Area Transportation System serves residents living in and moving to Canton GA. Residents can schedule private bus rides to any location in Cherokee County. The bus system used to offer fixed routes, but it's now a microtransit and on-demand system. There are no train services in Canton, and the Atlanta public transportation system does not serve Canton residents.

Are you ready to start living in Canton GA? Contact Wirks Moving and start a stress-free move to Canton now!

Canton GA Population and Demographics

The Canton GA population is 32,973, up by 43.6% since 2010 and 327.7% since 2020. Canton is one of the fastest-growing cities near Atlanta, and it accounts for over 10% of the population of Cherokee County. It's the second-largest city in the county behind Woodstock. Most of the population growth comes from young people living in Canton GA. 25.5% of the Canton GA population is under the age of 18. Many young professionals start moving to Canton GA so they can have children in the city.

Notable people from Canton GA include Chris Kirk, Dean Rusk, and Buster Skrine. Canton GA demographics include:

  • 51.5% male, 48.5% female
  • Median age: 34.6
  • Racial and ethnic composition: 68.1% White (61.4% non-Hispanic), 22.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Black or African American, 8.6% two or more races, 2.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian
  • Median household income: $75,414 (5.7% higher than the state median)
  • Educational attainment: 84.5% of residents living in Canton GA over the age of 25 have graduated high school, 33.0% have a bachelor's degree
  • Foreign-born population: 12.8%

Canton is a diverse community across many demographics. Living in Canton GA is popular amongst married couples who head 62.1% of households in Canton. It's also popular amongst singles, with 23.1% of households comprising of singles. The median age of Canton is three years younger than the state median, but 15% of the population is over 65.

Canton is a safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates:

  • Overall crime rate: 2,182 offenses per 100,000 residents (6.0% higher than the state rate, 6.1% lower than the national average)
  • Violent crime rate: 389 crimes per 100,000 residents (6.0% higher than the Georgia rate, 5.1% lower than the national average)
  • Property crime rate: 1,792 offenses per 100,000 people (6.0% higher than the Georgia rate, 8.3% lower than the national rate)

The Canton Police Department employs 61 police officers and civilian staffers.

Cost of Living in Canton

Canton cost of living statistics can be hard to find. You can use Atlanta cost of living statistics to make a rough estimate of the cost of living in Canton GA. The Atlanta cost of living index is 105, meaning items in Atlanta cost 5% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $116,695 a year to cover the cost of living in Cherokee County. Housing is the highest expense at $20,280 a year. You can live an affordable lifestyle by renting your home. Singles and couples without children should be able to live affordably, as they don't have to pay for child care.

Canton real estate is relatively affordable. According to Redfin, homes for sale in Canton GA have a median price of $475,000. The median sale price per square foot for Canton GA homes for sale is $213. The median price of homes for sale in Canton GA has risen by 6.6% since 2023. According to RentCafe, Canton apartments cost $1,687 a month on average, just below the national average.

Typical Canton* Living Expenses

  • 1 pound of white rice: $2.56
  • 1 pound of local cheese: $6.61
  • 1 pound of bananas: $0.79
  • 1 pound of onions: $1.61
  • 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.45
  • Average Canton* utilities per month: $195.39
  • 1 summer dress: $43.56

Source: Numbeo

*Expenses actually for living in Atlanta

Are you ready to start moving to Canton GA, and enjoying an affordable lifestyle? Call 404-635-6683 and get a free quote from Wirks Moving!

Canton Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Canton

You can live in a few different neighborhoods in Canton, including master-planned communities with HOAs. Here are the best places to live in Canton and buy Canton GA homes for sale.

River Green | Stylish Townhomes in a Safe and Quiet Community

River Green is located along River Green Avenue in western Canton. The neighborhood is located in a quiet and safe area, making it good if you want a place to unwind after work. River Green contains 59 luxury townhomes with upscale features like decks with scenic views and attached two-car garages. Most River Green homes for sale are spacious, containing at least two bedrooms and over 1,400 square feet. Prices vary, but you can purchase a two-bedroom townhome for less than $400,000.

Downtown Canton | Best Canton Georgia Neighborhood for Attractions and Canton Apartments

Downtown Canton contains the town square and many other attractions, including the Mill on Etowah. Downtown Canton offers more real estate options than River Green, including single-family homes for sale and apartments. Notable apartment complexes in the downtown area include Canton Mill Lofts. Canton Mill Lofts apartments contain luxurious amenities like floor-to-ceiling windows in a historic mill. One-bedroom apartments start at $1,349 a month and two-bedroom units start at $1,639 a month.

Canton GA Weather and Climate

Canton has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and short and mild winters. Temperatures peak in July, with an average temperature of 78 degrees and an average high of 88. The temperature remains warm until October and then drops steadily. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 42 degrees and an average low of 35. The temperature remains cold until March before rising.

The winter is mostly cloudy, while the other three seasons are mostly sunny. The fall has nearly two-thirds clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy days. Canton receives an average of 44.8 inches of rain every year. Does it snow in Canton Georgia? Yes, the community receives 2.2 inches of snow every year. The community can experience severe thunderstorms, so check the Canton GA weather forecast.

October is the best month to visit and start moving to Canton GA. The average temperature is 61 degrees, so you can stay warm in a light jacket, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Fall colors start showing in October, so you can see beautiful foliage in Grand Oaks, Copper Hills, and other locations around Canton.

Want to enjoy beautiful weather while living in Canton GA? Contact Wirks Moving to set up your upcoming move to Canton!

Things to Do in Canton

Canton is a thriving hub of exciting attractions, including top outside points of interest. You can also go shopping at various locations while living in Canton GA. The Mill on Etowah is a shopping mall housed in a historic mill and contains unique stores like Cotton Mill Exchange, a top antique store. Riverstone Plaza is another shopping mall with a Publix supermarket and a Ross Dress for Less.

Etowah River Park

A small pond and beach at Etowah River Park

Etowah River Park is one of the largest parks in Cherokee County, covering 58 acres. It's a dog-friendly and family-friendly outdoor point of interest, containing a walking trail and a public canoe launch for private boats.

600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA, 30114, 770-720-7674

Paranoia Haunted House

Paranoia Haunted House contains two terrifying attractions full of monsters, props, and animatronics. The house is open at every Saturday and Sunday in October and on special occasions throughout the year, including Valentine's Day.

2075 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA, 30114, 404-387-3203

AMC Classic Riverside 15

AMC Classic Riverside 15 screens blockbusters, independent films, and foreign-language films every day and night. You can enjoy discounts of 25% off for movies every day before 4:00 p.m.

5 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton, GA, 30114, 770-720-9570

Additional Things to Do in Canton GA

The Canton Parks and Recreation Department cares for all public spaces in Canton, including Hickory Log Creek Reservoir and Etowah River Park. The department also plans special events like free movie screenings and holiday parties. You can use the City of Canton events calendar to see when these events will occur.

Canton Restaurants

The Atlanta area is well known for its diverse range of restaurants, including seafood, barbeque, and hamburgers. These dishes and other incredible specialties are available in fun, cool, and kid-friendly restaurants in Canton.

POPS

A chicken sandwich from POPS on a plate in front of a dark background

Palermo's Original Pasta and Sandwiches (POPS) offers freshly made pasta and sandwiches in a casual setting. POPS also serves breakfast on weekdays, including breakfast sandwiches and ricotta toast.

130 East Main Street #206, Canton, GA, 30114, 678-750-0515

El Mirador

El Mirador is a kid-friendly Mexican restaurant that serves authentic dishes like enchiladas and fajitas. El Mirador is the most affordable restaurant in Canton, with most entrees costing less than $10.

370b Marietta Road, Canton, GA, 30114, 770-704-8978

Martin's Restaurant

Martin's Restaurant is a quick-service restaurant offering burgers, biscuit sandwiches, and fried chicken. You can order breakfast plates for less than $6 and burgers for less than $10, making Martin's great for an affordable and quick lunch.

3494 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA, 30114, 770-383-1298

Jobs in Canton GA

15,900 people have jobs in Canton GA. Canton has one of the fastest-growing job markets in an Atlanta suburb. Since 2013, the city has added nearly 5,000 new jobs, including over 1,000 healthcare and construction jobs. Healthcare, construction, and retail trade are the three largest job sectors in the city.

According to Payscale, Canton GA jobs have an average salary of $67,000 and an average hourly rate of $19.48. Major employers in the city include Universal Alloy, Northside Hospital Cherokee, and Inalfa Roof Systems. You can apply for jobs in Canton GA using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Canton jobs on the municipal government's website.

Do you want lucrative job opportunities in a safe community? Start living in Canton GA and hire Wirks Moving for your next move!

Canton GA Schools

There are many great schools in Canton GA. The Cherokee County School District is the only Canton school district that serves all residents living in Canton GA. A few different elementary schools in the Cherokee County School District serve Canton students. Hickory Flat Elementary School serves students in southern Canton. US News considers it to be the best elementary school in Canton and among the top 250 elementary schools in the state. 66% of Hickory Flat Elementary School students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics. This is 34 percentage points higher than the state rate.

US News ranks Creekland Middle School as the best middle school in Canton and in the top 100 middle schools in Georgia. Creekland Middle School employs over 100 full time teachers, 96% of whom have at least three years of experience.

There are four high schools in Canton GA. US News ranks Creekview High School as the best Canton high school. US News also ranks Creekview High School in the top 100 high schools in Georgia. The school has many unique programs, including an award-winning model rocket team.

A group of students from Chattahoochee Tech standing after their graduation ceremony

Chattahoochee Tech College has a Canton campus. Chattahoochee Tech offers over 50 technical programs, including healthcare technology and computer science, that award certificates. The R.T. Jones Memorial Library is the main public library in Canton. The Rose Creek Regional Library is also in Canton, but it's currently closed for renovations.

Canton Statistics and Information

  • County: Cherokee County
  • Canton area: 19.03 square miles
  • Canton zip code: 30114, 30115, and 30169
  • Canton area code: 470, 678, and 770
  • Canton elevation: 968 feet
  • Canton time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
  • Closest airport to Canton: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL/KATL), 50.2 miles from Canton

Canton Map

You can use this Canton map to find things to do in Canton and Canton restaurants in no time!

Living in Canton GA can be amazing! You can enjoy beautiful scenery, delicious restaurants, and excellent schools in a charming suburb.

Don't wait to start moving to Canton GA. Wirks Moving has a team of the best Canton movers, with over a decade of experience in performing quality moves. Call 404-635-6683 for a free quote now.

Eric Wirks
Eric Wirks started out in the moving industry over 16 years ago and after gaining in depth expertise in all industry related areas, went on to found Wirks Moving & Storage in 2009. Under Eric’s expert tutelage Wirks Moving & Storage has since serviced over 10,000 moves and kept their customers very happy, proven by a 98% customer referral rate.
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