Town · Massachusetts
Canton, Massachusetts
Canton, town, in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Canton had 25,165 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 24,370 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 24,748 (±88). GEOID 2502111315.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,165
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,370 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,748 ±88
Median household income
$143,381
±$9,210 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$710,600
±$26,845 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$2,315
±$178 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Canton and what county is it in?
Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It covers 18.7 square miles of land, 1,300 residents per square mile in 2020.
Canton is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Canton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 25,165 people lived in Canton on July 1, 2025, up 3.3% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 24,370 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 24,748 (±88).
| Measure | Canton | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,748±88 | 730,082 | +1,379 |
| Households | 9,630±323 | 283,368 | +566 |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.08 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,866±344 | 295,227 | +444 |
Canton's population since 2000
From 20,775 in 2000 to 25,165 in 2025: up 21.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Canton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Canton?
The median resident of Canton is 42.6 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 11.6%. 15.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Canton | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±2.3 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.9%±1.7 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8%±1.8 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Male | 50.5%±1.7 pts | 48.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5%±1.8 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 67.2%±3.2 pts | 68.7% | −13.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.6%±3.1 pts | 7.1% | +6.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 10.4%±2.3 pts | 12.4% | +3.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 15.0%±2.2 pts | 19.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.5%±3.0 pts | 23.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| With a disability | 10.4%±1.6 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.5%±1.0 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 67.5%±2.4 pts | 58.8% | +12.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 32.2%±2.9 pts | 28.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.6%±1.6 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Canton earn?
Half of Canton's 9,630 households earn less than $143,381 a year (±$9,210), against $130,739 in Norfolk County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $130,354 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Canton | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $143,381±$9,210 | $130,739 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $191,098±$13,633 | $183,022 | – |
| Per capita income | $78,446±$6,674 | $71,758 | +$12,440 |
| People below the poverty line | 5.2%±1.3 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.9%±3.3 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.9%±2.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.4%±1.4 pts | 96.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.9%±2.3 pts | 94.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Canton?
Owners occupy 73.6% of Canton's occupied homes and renters 26.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $710,600 by its owner (±$26,845). The median renter pays $2,315 a month including utilities, and 44.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Canton | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $710,600±$26,845 | $683,900 | +$82,331 |
| Median gross rent | $2,315±$178 | $2,149 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.5%±8.4 pts | 41.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,239±$195 | $3,171 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.6%±3.0 pts | 68.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 26.4%±3.0 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Housing units | 9,866±344 | 295,227 | +444 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.9%±3.2 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 10.9%±2.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.2%±2.7 pts | 26.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.9%±1.9 pts | 9.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Canton building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units in Canton in 2025 (6 in single-family houses), 0.2 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Canton work and get to work?
57.3% of Canton's workers drive alone and 25.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 35.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Canton | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.6%±3.0 pts | 69.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.6 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 57.3%±3.9 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.9%±2.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 8.4%±2.0 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 25.7%±3.3 pts | 22.8% | +20.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 35.9 min±2.2 | 32.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Canton?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Canton (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $114,299 (Tract 4151.03) to $203,068 (Tract 4153).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4151.01Norfolk County | 5,575 | $153,194 |
| Tract 4151.03Norfolk County | 4,427 | $114,299 |
| Tract 4152.01Norfolk County | 3,956 | $139,353 |
| Tract 4153Norfolk County | 3,831 | $203,068 |
| Tract 4151.04Norfolk County | 3,570 | $143,342 |
| Tract 4152.02Norfolk County | 3,389 | $152,267 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Canton) · Census block assignment files
How does Canton compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Canton is the 449th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 18th-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Canton ranks 100th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 18th | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 65th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 140th | 461 |
| Median household income | 100th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 73rd | 460 |
| Median home value | 107th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 37th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 219th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 67th | 459 |
| Median age | 305th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 307th | 460 |
| Work from home | 95th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 54th | 459 |
Canton's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Canton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Canton?
6 of the 57 figures for Canton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Canton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.