Canton, GA At a Glance

Getting to know a new town starts with the basics — a little history, the numbers that matter, and the places that make Canton special.

Getting to know a new town starts with the basics. Here's Canton at a glance — a little history, the numbers that matter, and the places worth knowing.

A quick history

The name "Canton" was chosen in 1834, after the Chinese city then known in English as Canton (today's Guangzhou). The founders had dreams of making this the center of a Georgia silk industry, which was concentrated in China at the time. The silk never quite took off — but the name stuck, and the rest is Cherokee County history.

Canton by the numbers

• Population: about 33,419 (2020 census)
• Annual population growth: roughly 3.23% — Canton is growing fast
• Cost of living: about 4% below the national average (housing ~12% lower, utilities ~16% lower)
• And a fun one: around 51.5% of Canton households own a dog 🐾

Getting around

Traffic is light to moderate almost year-round. Quick access to I-75 via I-575, plus GA-140 and GA-20, makes Canton a true North Georgia nexus — and the Peach Pass gives you priority tolls to and from Atlanta to save time during busier hours.

Places to know

• [Historic Downtown Canton](https://www.cantonga.gov/our-city/visit-us/downtown-canton) — cute local shops and trendy restaurants
• [The Mill](https://www.etowahmill.com) — a downtown restaurant and shopping hub
• [Etowah River Park](https://www.cantonga.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation) — big open fields alongside the beautiful Etowah River
• [Lake Allatoona](http://www.allatoonalake.org) — one of Georgia's largest and most sought-after lakes, with multiple public boat launches
• [Callahan Golf Links](https://www.callahangolflinks.com) — a great course and driving range to sharpen your game
• [Reinhardt University](https://www.reinhardt.edu) — a local private liberal-arts college
• [Canton Marketplace](https://www.acadiarealty.com/properties/search/property/249-canton-marketplace-canton) — a shopping and restaurant hub off Exit 19

Canton really does have something for everyone — from a vibrant downtown scene to quieter neighborhoods, with parks and green spaces sprinkled throughout the city.