Editing Canton, Mississippi

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Canton, Mississippi
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = Movie Capitol of Mississippi
| motto              = One People/One Voice/One Goal
| image_skyline      = Madison County Mississippi Courthouse.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Madison County Courthouse in Canton
| image_flag         = Flag of Canton, Mississippi.png
| image_seal         = 
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Canton, Mississippi.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| image_map          = Madison_County_Mississippi_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Canton_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in Madison County and the state of Mississippi
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Dr. William Truly, Jr. ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Anthony |date=2021-11-10 |title=Jury: Truly can stay in office, but his name wasn't properly added to the ballot |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2021/11/10/jury-truly-can-stay-office-his-name-wasnt-properly-added-ballot/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=WLBT |language=en}}</ref>
| government_type    = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Mississippi]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Mississippi|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Madison County, Mississippi|Madison]]
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Mississippi |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_28.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=February 16, 2024}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 21.57
| area_land_sq_mi    = 21.28
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.30
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US2811100&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Canton city, Mississippi: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=February 16, 2024}}</ref>
| population_total   = 10948
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 514.59
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 223
| coordinates        = {{coord|32|36|43|N|90|01|24|W|region:US-MS_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 39046
| area_code          = [[Area code 601|601]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 28-11100
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2403988<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2403988}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|cityofcantonms.com}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

The city of '''Canton''' is the [[county seat]] of [[Madison County, Mississippi]], United States,<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> and is situated in the northern part of the [[Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area|metropolitan area]] surrounding the state capital, [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]]. The population of Canton was 10,948 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> down from 13,189 in [[2010 United States census|2010]].

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

==History==
{{Expand section|date=February 2024}}
Although not a major battle site during the [[American Civil War|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 States of America|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 architecture|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 {{convert|24|mi}} northeast of Jackson. Canton is bordered to the south by the city of [[Gluckstadt, Mississippi|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 {{convert|19|mi}} to [[Pickens, Mississippi|Pickens]]. [[Mississippi Highway 16]] passes through the city center on East Peace Street and North Liberty Street, leading east {{convert|31|mi}} to [[Carthage, Mississippi|Carthage]] and northwest {{convert|30|mi}} to [[Yazoo City, Mississippi|Yazoo City]]. [[Mississippi Highway 22|MS 22]] has its eastern terminus in the center of Canton and leads west {{convert|18|mi}} to [[Flora, Mississippi|Flora]]. [[Mississippi Highway 43|MS 43]] passes through the east side of Canton, leading northeast {{convert|47|mi}} to [[Kosciusko, Mississippi|Kosciusko]] and southeast {{convert|30|mi}} to [[Pelahatchie, Mississippi|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 {{convert|85|mi}} to [[Grenada, Mississippi|Grenada]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city of Canton has a total area of {{convert|21.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|21.3|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi|km2|1}}, or 1.38%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> 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 (Mississippi)|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 {{convert|108|F|C|1}} on September 7, 1925, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-11|F|C|1}} on January 27, 1940.<ref name = NOWData />

{{Weather box
|location = Canton, Mississippi, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high F = 83
|Feb record high F = 87
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 106
|Aug record high F = 107
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 100
|Nov record high F = 89
|Dec record high F = 85

|Jan avg record high F = 74.1
|Feb avg record high F = 77.2
|Mar avg record high F = 82.9
|Apr avg record high F = 86.0
|May avg record high F = 90.9
|Jun avg record high F = 94.6
|Jul avg record high F = 97.5
|Aug avg record high F = 97.5
|Sep avg record high F = 95.1
|Oct avg record high F = 89.6
|Nov avg record high F = 80.5
|Dec avg record high F = 75.4
|year avg record high F = 99.1

|Jan high F = 56.0
|Feb high F = 59.8
|Mar high F = 68.2
|Apr high F = 75.3
|May high F = 82.5
|Jun high F = 88.8
|Jul high F = 91.8
|Aug high F = 91.1
|Sep high F = 87.6
|Oct high F = 77.9
|Nov high F = 66.0
|Dec high F = 58.1
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 44.8
|Feb mean F = 47.8
|Mar mean F = 55.8
|Apr mean F = 63.0
|May mean F = 71.4
|Jun mean F = 77.7
|Jul mean F = 81.0
|Aug mean F = 80.0
|Sep mean F = 75.2
|Oct mean F = 64.4
|Nov mean F = 53.1
|Dec mean F = 46.7
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 33.6
|Feb low F = 35.9
|Mar low F = 43.4
|Apr low F = 50.7
|May low F = 60.3
|Jun low F = 66.6
|Jul low F = 70.2
|Aug low F = 68.9
|Sep low F = 62.8
|Oct low F = 50.8
|Nov low F = 40.4
|Dec low F = 35.3
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 17.0
|Feb avg record low F = 21.6
|Mar avg record low F = 27.1
|Apr avg record low F = 35.3
|May avg record low F = 45.5
|Jun avg record low F = 58.6
|Jul avg record low F = 63.8
|Aug avg record low F = 62.2
|Sep avg record low F = 49.6
|Oct avg record low F = 35.3
|Nov avg record low F = 25.9
|Dec avg record low F = 21.2
|year avg record low F = 15.1

|Jan record low F = -11
|Feb record low F = -3
|Mar record low F = 15
|Apr record low F = 28
|May record low F = 35
|Jun record low F = 43
|Jul record low F = 51
|Aug record low F = 52
|Sep record low F = 34
|Oct record low F = 20
|Nov record low F = 12
|Dec record low F = 2

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.15
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.92
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.69
|Apr precipitation inch = 6.09
|May precipitation inch = 4.73
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.02
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.60
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.84
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.06
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.30
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.64
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.01
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.7
|Feb precipitation days = 9.3
|Mar precipitation days = 9.8
|Apr precipitation days = 8.3
|May precipitation days = 8.5
|Jun precipitation days = 8.8
|Jul precipitation days = 9.2
|Aug precipitation days = 9.1
|Sep precipitation days = 5.9
|Oct precipitation days = 6.5
|Nov precipitation days = 7.6
|Dec precipitation days = 8.8

|Jan snow inch = 0.0
|Feb snow inch = 0.1
|Mar snow inch = 0.0
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.4
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.0
|Feb snow days = 0.1
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00221389&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Canton 4N, MS
|access-date = February 27, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=jan
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Jackson
|access-date = February 27, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1963
|1880= 2131
|1890= 3404
|1900= 3464
|1910= 3929
|1920= 3252
|1930= 4725
|1940= 6011
|1950= 7048
|1960= 9707
|1970= 10503
|1980= 11116
|1990= 10062
|2000= 12911
|2010= 13189
|2020= 10948
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Courthouse Square, Canton, Mississippi.jpg|thumb|right|Courthouse Square]]

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Canton Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2811100&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-08|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]
|1,664
|15.2%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]]
|7,988
|72.96%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|33
|0.3%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|47
|0.43%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|234
|2.14%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|981
|8.96%
|}
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]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/2811100.html |title=Canton (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |publisher=Quickfacts.census.gov |access-date=2015-07-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905072731/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/2811100.html |archive-date=2015-09-05 }}</ref> 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 {{convert|621.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,933 housing units. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|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 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 12,911 people in 4,093 households, including 2,991 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|694.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,333 housing units at an average density of {{convert|232.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wlbt.com/story/14589680/copy-canton-considering-annexing-nissan-plant/|title=Canton considering annexing Nissan plant|publisher=[[WLBT]]|date=2011-05-06|accessdate=2021-07-01}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Edward Blackmon Jr.]] (1947-), Former Mississippi State Representative and an attorney; Tougaloo College's board of trustees
*Sister [[Thea Bowman]] (1937–1990), Roman Catholic nun ([[Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cantontourism.com/attractions-1/2020/11/18/sister-thea-bowman-home|title=Sister Thea Bowman Home|website=Canton Tourism}}</ref>
*[[Flonzie Brown Wright]] (born 1942), African-American civil rights activist<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Ownby |first=Ted |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HWolDwAAQBAJ |title=The Mississippi Encyclopedia |last2=Wilson |first2=Charles Reagan |last3=Abadie |first3=Ann J. |last4=Lindsey |first4=Odie |last5=Jr |first5=James G. Thomas |date=2017-05-25 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-4968-1159-2 |pages=147 |language=en |chapter=Brown-Wright, Flozie (Goodloe) b. 1942, activist}}</ref>
* [[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), [[American football|football]] player, [[Buffalo Bills]]
* [[Scott Field (Texas politician)|Scott Field]] (1847–1931), U.S. congressman from [[Texas]]
* [[Rowland Garrett]] (1950-), professional basketball player<ref name=baskref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garrero01.html Career statistics]. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on 5 December 2015.</ref>
* [[L. C. Greenwood]] (1946-2013), NFL player with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
* [[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 (American football)|Damien Lewis]] (1997-), NFL player for the [[Carolina Panthers]]
* [[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
* [[Reed Stringer]] (1979–), college football coach<ref>{{cite news |title=Former CA players honored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-madison-county-herald-former-ca-play/157561600/ |newspaper=[[Madison County Herald]] |date=January 25, 2021 |page=9 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref>
* [[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 (musician)|Johnny Temple]]. Musicians include studio guitarist Bucky Barrett and the slide guitarist [[Sonny Landreth]]. Gospel singers include the Canton Spirituals and Reverend [[Cleophus Robinson]].<ref name=trailmarker>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.visitmississippi.org/press_news/CantonBluesMarker.pdf
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071004114124/http://www.visitmississippi.org/press_news/CantonBluesMarker.pdf
|archive-date=2007-10-04
|title=Canton To Honor Blues Legend with Mississippi Blues Trail Marker
|publisher=209.85.215.104
|access-date=2008-05-28}}</ref>

In his dedication of Hickory Street, Governor Haley Barbour said, {{blockquote|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.<ref name=trailmarker/>}}

==Education==
The city of Canton is served by the [[Canton Public School District (Mississippi)|Canton Public School District]] and [[Canton High School (Mississippi)|Canton High School]]. [[Canton Academy]] is a [[segregation academy]] in the area.

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Mississippi}}
* {{Official website|cityofcantonms.com}}
* [http://www.cantonchambers.com/ Canton Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051202120052/http://www.rootsweb.com/~msmadiso/Canton/ Confederate cemetery page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071005093945/http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/ms/canton.htm History of Canton's Jewish community] (from the [[Institute of Southern Jewish Life]])

{{Madison County, Mississippi}}
{{Mississippi}}
{{Mississippi county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Cities in Madison County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:County seats in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Cities in Jackson metropolitan area, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Mississippi Blues Trail]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1836]]