City · South Dakota
Canton, South Dakota
Canton, city, in Lincoln County, South Dakota. Canton had 3,001 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,066 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,033 (±18). GEOID 4609500.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,001
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,066 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,033 ±18
Median household income
$60,850
±$10,436 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$191,400
±$11,493 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$673
±$109 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
Where is Canton and what county is it in?
Canton is a city in Lincoln County, South Dakota. It covers 3.3 square miles of land, 938 residents per square mile in 2020.
Canton is in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 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 3,001 people lived in Canton on July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020 Census counted 3,066 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,033 (±18).
| Measure | Canton | Lincoln County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,033 ±18 | 70,638 | −414 |
| Households | 1,409 ±151 | 27,879 | +291 |
| Average household size | 2.07 ±0.22 | 2.52 | −0.69 |
| Housing units | 1,540 ±177 | 28,710 | +299 |
Canton's population since 2000
From 3,110 in 2000 to 3,001 in 2025: down 3.5%. 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 42.2 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 25.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.6%.
| Measure | Canton | Lincoln County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 ±11.9 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.9% ±6.0 pts | 26.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.9% ±6.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Male | 52.4% ±4.8 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% ±2.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.3% ±5.2 pts | 89.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±4.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0% ±2.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7% ±2.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3% ±2.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1% ±6.0 pts | 9.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.0% ±6.1 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.1% ±4.4 pts | 96.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.9% ±5.7 pts | 44.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.7% ±2.9 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.9% ±3.2 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.6 pts | 2.7% | – |
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 1,409 households earn less than $60,850 a year (±$10,436), against $99,166 in Lincoln County and $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $76,358 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Canton | Lincoln County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,850 ±$10,436 | $99,166 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,332 ±$12,364 | $132,275 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,560 ±$5,332 | $52,585 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.1% ±3.7 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.9% ±7.6 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.0% ±4.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 87.7% ±8.0 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8% ±7.7 pts | 95.7% | – |
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 68.1% of Canton's occupied homes and renters 31.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $191,400 by its owner (±$11,493). The median renter pays $673 a month including utilities, and 35.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Canton | Lincoln County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $191,400 ±$11,493 | $348,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $673 ±$109 | $1,260 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.9% ±21.6 pts | 25.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,281 ±$195 | $1,937 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.1% ±9.7 pts | 71.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 31.9% ±9.7 pts | 28.8% | – |
| Housing units | 1,540 ±177 | 28,710 | +299 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.0% ±9.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.5% ±7.8 pts | 61.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% ±1.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±2.5 pts | 29.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 42.4% ±10.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.2% ±1.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 1 new housing units in Canton in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.3 per 1,000 residents against 5.7 across South Dakota.
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?
73.7% of Canton's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 19.9 minutes.
| Measure | Canton | Lincoln County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2% ±6.7 pts | 75.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% ±4.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.7% ±8.6 pts | 80.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.1% ±5.1 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.3% ±3.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 7.3% ±4.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.3% ±7.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.9 min ±3.3 | 19.3 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?
1 census tract lies mostly in Canton (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 102Lincoln County | 3,547 | $67,202 |
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 South Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Canton is the 6,339th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 27th-most populous of 310 in South Dakota.
Canton ranks 58th of 82 places in South Dakota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 27th | 310 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 52nd | 73 |
| Residents per square mile | 46th | 84 |
| Median household income | 58th | 82 |
| Per capita income | 46th | 83 |
| Median home value | 51st | 81 |
| Median gross rent | 62nd | 72 |
| Poverty rate | 42nd | 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72nd | 81 |
| Median age | 25th | 83 |
| Owner-occupied share | 49th | 84 |
| Travel time to work | 25th | 84 |
Canton's figures with every place in South Dakota (CSV)
Every place in South Dakota, 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?
21 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' public schools in Canton.