Canton, NC Demographics

A map of Canton's Population by Race

Canton, North Carolina has an estimated population of 4,419, a less than 1% change from the 4,422 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.8% White, 5.1% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 1.7% Black, 0.6% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Canton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Canton has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Canton, that probability was 22.8% in 2020 and 20.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Canton is ranked the 195th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Canton was ranked the 188th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Canton's White Population

3,923 residents of Canton, or 88.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Canton is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Canton ranks 138th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Canton's White population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. White residents' share of Canton's population has increased from 87.6% to 88.8%.

Canton is more White than neighboring Clyde (78.7% White), Lake Junaluska (88.5% White), Waynesville (87.7% White), and Maggie Valley (86% White). Canton is less White than neighboring West Canton (89.4% White).

Canton's Black Population

74 residents of Canton, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Canton is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Canton ranks 617th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Canton's Black population has declined by an estimated 17.8%. Black residents' share of Canton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Canton is more Black than neighboring Clyde (1.4% Black), Lake Junaluska (0% Black), Waynesville (1.3% Black), and Maggie Valley (0.8% Black). Canton is less Black than neighboring West Canton (4.8% Black).

Canton's Asian Population

28 residents of Canton, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Canton is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Canton ranks 559th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Canton's Asian population has grown by an estimated 133.3%. Asian residents' share of Canton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Canton is more Asian than neighboring West Canton (0% Asian), Clyde (0% Asian), and Waynesville (0.2% Asian). Canton is less Asian than neighboring Lake Junaluska (1.4% Asian), and Maggie Valley (1.9% Asian).

Canton's Hispanic Population

226 residents of Canton, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Canton is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Canton ranks 400th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Canton's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 11.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Canton's population has decreased from 5.8% to 5.1%.

Canton is more Hispanic than neighboring West Canton (3.8% Hispanic). Canton is less Hispanic than neighboring Clyde (14.6% Hispanic), Lake Junaluska (5.5% Hispanic), Waynesville (6.6% Hispanic), and Maggie Valley (8.3% Hispanic).

Canton's Native American/Other Population

18 residents of Canton, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Canton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Canton ranks 298th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Canton's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 53.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Canton's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.4%.

Canton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Waynesville (0% Native American/Other). Canton is less Native American/Other than neighboring Clyde (1.1% Native American/Other), Lake Junaluska (3.7% Native American/Other), and Maggie Valley (0.9% Native American/Other).

Canton's Multiracial Population

150 residents of Canton, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Canton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Canton ranks 439th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Canton's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Canton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Canton is more Multiracial than neighboring West Canton (1.5% Multiracial), Lake Junaluska (0.9% Multiracial), and Maggie Valley (2% Multiracial). Canton is less Multiracial than neighboring Clyde (4.3% Multiracial), and Waynesville (4.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.