Canton, Mississippi

The city of Canton is 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, down from 13,189 in 2010.

The city is adjacent to a large auto manufacturing facility owned by Nissan.

History
Although not a major battle site during the Civil War, Canton was important as a rail and logistics center. Many wounded soldiers were treated in or transported through the city, and as a consequence it has a large Confederate cemetery.

Much of Canton is on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse square is a historic shopping district and host to the Canton Flea Market. The picturesque Georgian courthouse is particularly notable and often appears in photographic exhibits of the South. The east side of town is a large part of the historic district with many homes.

Geography
Canton is in central Madison County at 32.61194°N, -90.03167°W (32.612015, -90.031638). It is 24 mi northeast of Jackson. Canton is bordered to the south by the city of Gluckstadt.

U.S. Route 51 passes through the center of the city as Liberty Street and Union Street, leading southwest to Jackson and north-northeast 19 mi to Pickens. Mississippi Highway 16 passes through the city center on East Peace Street and North Liberty Street, leading east 31 mi to Carthage and northwest 30 mi to Yazoo City. MS 22 has its eastern terminus in the center of Canton and leads west 18 mi to Flora. MS 43 passes through the east side of Canton, leading northeast 47 mi to Kosciusko and southeast 30 mi to Pelahatchie. Interstate 55 passes through the west side of the city, with access from Exits 118 (Nissan Parkway) and Exit 119 (MS 22). I-55 leads southwest to Jackson and north 85 mi to Grenada.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Canton has a total area of 21.6 sqmi, of which 21.3 sqmi are land and 0.3 sqmi, or 1.38%, are water. Batchelor Creek flows westward through the city just north of downtown, and Bear Creek flows to the northwest through the southern part of the city. The city is in the watershed of the Big Black River.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Canton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Canton was 108 F on September 7, 1925, while the coldest temperature recorded was -11 F on January 27, 1940.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 10,948 people, 4,774 households, and 2,953 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census 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 621.1 PD/sqmi. 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 694.1 PD/sqmi. There were 4,333 housing units at an average density of 232.9 /sqmi. 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.

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

Notable people

 * 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 (1950-), professional basketball player
 * L. C. Greenwood (1946-2013), NFL player with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing in Super Bowl IX, Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV
 * Caroline Herring, folk singer
 * Elmore James (1918–1963), blues singer, slide guitarist
 * Sonny Landreth (1951-), blues guitarist
 * Ronnie Lester (1959-), University of Iowa basketball All-American, NBA player for Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers
 * Damien Lewis (1997-), NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks
 * 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; practiced law in Canton
 * Arthur Tate (born 1939), Mississippi state senator
 * William M. Walton (1832–1915), Texas Attorney General
 * Quinndary Weatherspoon (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, "With his innovative contributions to the electric slide guitar style, legendary Elmore James is among the many reasons Mississippi is truly the birthplace of America's music. Like so many others, Elmore's work was greatly influenced by his childhood home in Canton, where he joined the ranks of musicians like B.B. King and Little Milton to play the blues on Hickory Street. Today's blues trail marker not only recognizes the achievements of the talented Elmore James but also pays tribute to Canton's colorful blues heritage."

Education
The city of Canton is served by the Canton Public School District and Canton High School. Canton Academy is a segregation academy in the area.

In popular culture

 * 1974 Thieves Like Us
 * 1988 Mississippi Burning
 * 1996 A Time to Kill
 * 1998 Walking in Mississippi
 * 2000 My Dog Skip
 * 2000 O Brother, Where Art Thou?
 * 2001 The Ponder Heart
 * 2001 Biker Zombies from Detroit
 * 2008 Ballast
 * 2013 As I Lay Dying
 * 2016 Saved By Grace
 * 2020 "A Time For Mercy", book by John Grisham

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Canton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.