Canton, Mississippi

Canton is located at 32°36′43″N 90°1′54″W (32.612015, -90.031638).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48 km²), of which 18.6 square miles (48 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (0.69%) is water.

Courthouse Square

As of the census[6] 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 people per square mile (239.8/km²). 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.

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 people per square mile (268.0/km²). There were 4,333 housing units at an average density of 232.9 per square mile (89.9/km²). 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.

• Damien Lewis (American football) (1997-), NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks
• Thea Bowman (1937–1990), Catholic sister, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
• 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
• George Doherty (1920–1987), football player, Buffalo Bills
• Scott Field (1847–1931), United States Congressman from Texas
• Rowland Garrett (1950-), professional basketball player[7]
• L. C. Greenwood (1946-2013), NFL player with 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 guitar player
• Ronnie Lester (1959-), University of Iowa basketball All-American, NBA player for Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers
• Samuel Mockbee (1944–2001), architect
• George Raymond (1943–1973), civil rights activist
• Anne Moody (1940-2015), civil rights activist, author of Coming of Age in Mississippi, based on her work with CORE
• 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
• Rev. Cleophus Robinson (1932-1998), gospel singer
• John Henry Rogers (1845–1911), United States Congressman from Arkansas and a federal judge, who grew up near Madison and practiced law in Canton
• William M. Walton (1832–1915), Texas Attorney General
• Quinndary Weatherspoon (1996-), NBA player

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.[8]

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.[8]

The city of Canton is served by the Canton Public School District. The city of Canton and Madison County are served by Canton Academy.

• 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

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.[9]

[9]

• Canton Chamber of Commerce official website
• City-data.com Canton profile
• Confederate cemetery page
• History of Canton's Jewish community (from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life)
• Canton, Ms Flea Market