Canton, officially the Charter Township of Canton, is a
charter township of
Wayne County in the U.S. state of
Michigan
Michigan () is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the List of U.S. states and ...
. As of the
2020 census, the township had a population of 98,659.
Canton Township is Michigan's second most-populated township (after
Clinton Township) and
ninth most-populated municipality overall. The township is ranked as the 96th highest-income place in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more and is also consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the state and nation. In 2015, the township was ranked as the 29th safest city in the United States.
Communities
*Canton is an unincorporated community within the township, although the name often refers to the whole township itself. It is located just south of
M-153 (Ford Road) at . The Canton post office, first established in 1852, serves an area conterminous with the township itself—using the 48187 ZIP code north of Cherry Hill Road and the 48188 ZIP Code to the south.
*
Cherry Hill is a historic locale in the west of the township at at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road and Ridge Road. It is the site of a
new urbanist neighborhood with architecture that is supposed to be reminiscent of what Canton was like a hundred years ago. It is located on a rise over a branch of the Lower
River Rouge. It is now the site of a theatre, the Village Theater.
*Sheldon or Sheldon's Corners is a historic locale in the south of the township on
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Route 12 (US 12) is an east–west United States highway, running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan, for almost . The highway has mostly been superseded by Interstate 90 (I-90) and I-94, but unlike most U.S. routes that ...
just west of
Interstate 275 at . It is named after Timothy F. Sheldon who purchased lands there in 1825. The Sheldons built a
Greek Revival
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement which began in the middle of the 18th century but which particularly flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in northern Europe and the United States and Canada, but a ...
home on their land, and the building, the
Sheldon Inn, almost immediately became an
inn
Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommo ...
, serving the influx of travelers and settlers spreading westward from Detroit.
History
Earlier, on October 20, 1829, the legislature had passed a bill creating the townships of Lima and Richland out of
Bucklin Township. Governor
Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass (October 9, 1782June 17, 1866) was an American military officer, politician, and statesman. He represented Michigan in the United States Senate and served in the Cabinets of two U.S. Presidents, Andrew Jackson and James Buchanan. He wa ...
returned the acts unapproved, citing a conflict under the law. The names conflicted with post offices in existence, contrary to a territorial law from April 12, 1827, prohibiting incorporation of a new township bearing the same name as any existing post office. The legislature thus had to substitute the names of
Nankin and
Pekin after the cities of
Nanjing
Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), Postal Map Romanization, alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu Provinces of China, province of the China, People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and t ...
(Nanking) and
Beijing
}
Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
(Peking) in China. The name of Pekin was extinguished when it was renamed
Redford in 1833.
The Township of Canton was created by act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature on March 7, 1834 out of a southern portion of
Plymouth Township. It was named in honor of the port and provincial capital known historically as
Canton
Canton may refer to:
Administrative division terminology
* Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland
* Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French
Arts and ent ...
,
Imperial China, known today from the
pinyin
Hanyu Pinyin (), often shortened to just pinyin, is the official romanization system for Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, and to some extent, in Singapore and Malaysia. It is often used to teach Mandarin, normally written in Chinese fo ...
standard as
Guangzhou
Guangzhou (, ; ; or ; ), also known as Canton () and alternatively romanized as Kwongchow or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of Guangdong province in southern China. Located on the Pearl River about north-northwest of Hong ...
.
The first meeting to organize the township was held in April 1834.
In the summer of 2002, the
emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer (''Agrilus planipennis''), also known by the acronym EAB, is a green buprestid or jewel beetle native to north-eastern Asia that feeds on ash species. Females lay eggs in bark crevices on ash trees, and larvae feed underne ...
was discovered in Canton, eventually infesting the Great Lakes region.
The
Canton Historical Society and Museum opened in 1982 in a one-roomed schoolhouse.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy
An economy is an area of th ...
, the township has a total area of , of which is land and (0.08%) is water.
It is located about west of the city limits of
Detroit
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at ...
and east of the city limits of
Ann Arbor
Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie.
Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...
.
The south of the township is drained by the Lower
River Rouge and its tributaries, including Pine Creek, which drains from the northwest corner to the southeast. The northeast is drained by Tonquish Creek and Garden Creek, which are tributaries of the Middle River Rouge.
Economy
Top employers
According to the Charter Township's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
The publisher
Visible Ink Press has its headquarters in Canton.
Transportation
Highways
*
*, named locally as Michigan Avenue
*, named locally as Ford Road
Airport
*
Canton–Plymouth Mettetal Airport
Education
Canton Township is served by the
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (which serves the northern 2/3 portion of Canton),
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is a school district headquartered in Westland, Michigan in Metro Detroit.
The district service area includes all and/or portions of Westland, Wayne, Canton, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, and Romulus. As of 2012 th ...
(which serves the south-eastern portion of Canton) and
Van Buren Public Schools
The Van Buren Public Schools (VBPS) is a school district headquartered in Belleville, Michigan.
Schools
Secondary schools
* Belleville High School ( Belleville)
* McBride Middle School (formerly North Middle School, Van Buren Township) (which serves the south-western portion of the township). P-CCS includes most of Canton Township, the city of
Plymouth
Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west.
Plymout ...
,
Plymouth Township, and portions of Salem, Superior, and Northville Townships.
Schools
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
A portion is in
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is a school district headquartered in Westland, Michigan in Metro Detroit.
The district service area includes all and/or portions of Westland, Wayne, Canton, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, and Romulus. As of 2012 th ...
[Zoning Map]
Archive
City of Canton. Retrieved on April 20, 2014. Most Wayne-Westland-zoned areas are zoned to Walker-Winter Elementary School in Canton. A small portion is zoned to Roosevelt-McGrath Elementary School in
Wayne.
Some portions of the Wayne-Westland section of Canton are zoned to Adams Upper Elementary School in
Westland, Franklin Middle School in Wayne, and
Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne. Other portions are zoned to Marshall Upper Elementary School, Stevenson Middle School in Westland,
John Glenn High School, all in
Westland.
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
A portion is in the
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.
*Bentley Elementary School
*Bird Elementary School
*Canton High School *
*Discovery Middle School
*Dodson Elementary School
*East Middle School
*Eriksson Elementary School
*Farrand Elementary School
*Field Elementary School
*Gallimore Elementary School
*Hoben Elementary School
*Hulsing Elementary School
*Isbister Elementary School
*Liberty Middle School
*Miller Elementary School
*Pioneer Middle School
*Plymouth High School *
*Salem High School *
*Smith Elementary School
*Starkweather Center (Alternative education)
*Tanger Center (Alternative education)
*Tonda Elementary School
*West Middle School
*Workman Elementary School
(* Part of the
Plymouth-Canton Educational Park)
Public charter schools
*Canton Charter Academy
*Achieve Charter Academy
*South Canton Scholars Charter Academy
*Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy
*Canton Preparatory High School
Private schools
*All Saints Catholic School
*Plymouth Christian Academy
*Plymouth Canton Montessori
*Crescent Academy International
*Banyan Montessori Academy
Further education
*
Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology
Crime
In 2015, Canton was ranked as the 29th safest city in the U.S.
[
]
Demographics
The U.S. Census Bureau also defined Canton Township as a census-designated place
A census-designated place (CDP) is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only.
CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counterparts of incorporated places, su ...
(CDP) at the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places (like cities and villages) as well on the list of county subdivisions (like other townships). The final statistics for the township and the CDP were identical.
As of the census of 2010, there were 90,173 people, 32,771 households, and 24,231 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 34,829 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 72.2% White
White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...
, 10.2% African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...
, 0.2% Native American, 14.1% Asian (8.0% Indian, 2.2% Chinese, 0.7% Filipino), 0.0% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...
, 0.7% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.
There were 27,490 households, out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.26. The median household price was $239,900 according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey estimates.
In the township the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $82,669, and the median income for a family was $95,267. Males had a median income of $61,570 versus $35,615 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the township was $28,609. About 2.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
*Precious Adams
Precious Adams is an American ballet dancer who currently dances with the English National Ballet.
Early life
Adams was born and raised in Canton, Michigan.
Training
Adams began dancing at the age of seven at a competitive jazz dance studio. ...
, ballet dancer who was born and raised in Canton
* Andrew Bazzi
Andrew Bazzi (born August 28, 1997), known mononymously by his surname, Bazzi ( ), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. His song "Mine", released in October 2017, gained popularity in early 2018 when it became a meme through ...
, Singer-Songwriter
* Kyle Brindza
Kyle Brindza (born January 13, 1993) is a former American football placekicker. He played college football at Notre Dame. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2015 and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he p ...
, American football placekicker, played for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at For ...
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South divisio ...
, and New York Jets
* Brian Calhoun, back-up running back for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at For ...
* Paul Cotter, American professional ice hockey forward
* Alex Foster, American professional ice hockey forward player
* Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. His biography on the official NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the g ...
, collegiate football player for Ohio State and current member of the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. ...
* Robert L. McKenzie
Robert L. "Bobby" McKenzie, Ph.D., is a domestic and foreign policy analyst, public commentator, and scholar of the Middle East and North Africa. An anthropologist by training, his current work largely focuses on forced migration, displaced perso ...
, also known as Bobby McKenzie, a domestic and foreign policy analyst, public commentator, and scholar of the Middle East and North Africa. He is a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution
The Brookings Institution, often stylized as simply Brookings, is an American research group founded in 1916. Located on Think Tank Row in Washington, D.C., the organization conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in e ...
, a former Democratic nominee for Michigan's 11th congressional district, and a former Senior Advisor at the US Department of State.
* Nathan Perkovich, forward for the Medvescak Zagreb of KHL and Albany Devils of AHL; grew up in Canton
* Nate Robertson, former MLB pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
, Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The fra ...
, and Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...
* Matt Roy, professional ice hockey player
* Allison Schmitt, Olympic gold medalist swimmer in 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics; Team USA swim captain
* Jason Stollsteimer, vocalist and guitarist of the band The Von Bondies, attended Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
*Emily Turner, professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is an American professional basketball league. It is composed of twelve teams, all based in the United States. The league was founded on April 22, 1996, as the women's counterpart to the Natio ...
* Charles Williams (ice hockey)
Charles Williams (born March 12, 1992) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played in the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL.
Early life
Williams was born in Canton, Michigan. He played college hockey at Ferris State Univ ...
, professional hockey player
* James Wisniewski, defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ...
; previously with Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...
, New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...
, and Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...
; born in Canton
Gallery
Image:Village Theater Canton Twp. Michigan.JPG, The Village Theater
Image:Canton Twp. Fire Rescue Truck.JPG, Canton Twp. Fire Rescue
A firefighter is a first responder and rescuer extensively trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten life, property, and the environment as well as to rescue people and in some cases or jurisdictions also a ...
Truck
Image:Cherry Hill United Methodist Church Canton Twp. Michigan.JPG, Cherry Hill United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a leader in evangelica ...
, erected 1882
Image:Cherry Hill School Canton Twp. Michigan.JPG, Cherry Hill School
Image:Bronze statue Cherry Hill School.JPG, Bronze statue, Cherry Hill School
Image:Cherry Hill School historical marker.JPG, Cherry Hill School historical marker
A commemorative plaque, or simply plaque, or in other places referred to as a historical marker, historic marker, or historic plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other ...
Image:canton township gurudwara sahib temple.JPG, Gurudwara Sahib Sikh
Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism (Sikhi), a monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ' ...
Temple, Canton Center Rd.
References
External links
*
Canton Historical Society
Canton Township
in ''History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan'', Farmer, Silas, 1839–1902.
{{Authority control
Townships in Wayne County, Michigan
Charter townships in Michigan
Metro Detroit
1834 establishments in Michigan Territory
Populated places established in 1834
Former census-designated places in Michigan