Canton

About Canton

Canton is a midsize township in Michigan that's been steadily growing in recent decades. Part of the increase in population is from an influx of residents from Ann Arbor and Detroit, as Canton sits directly in between these two cities. It's among Michigan's fastest-growing communities and one of the country's safest places to live.

The History of Canton

In the 1820s, the local legislature passed a bill to create the townships of Richland and Lima. However, the governor refused to approve the bill, noting that there was an issue with the selected names. There were already post offices in existence with the names that had been chosen, which was against territorial law. For some time, the townships went by the names Nankin and Perkin, inspired by the Chinese cities of Nanjing and Beijing.

When a new township was created in 1834 in the same area, it followed the unique naming tradition. The township of Canton was named after an important port and provincial capital of China. The Chinese city was formerly named Canton, though today it's referred to as Guangzhou.

Living in Canton

Canton is a mainly suburban area with all the conveniences you expect from a modern town. The full-service community features strip malls, a business district and industrial area, and rows of residential neighborhoods. The major thoroughfare off Interstate 275 features movie theaters, bars, restaurants and plenty of entertainment, including the Canton Liberty Fest, outdoor concerts and more.

As a resident of Canton, less than a half-hour from Ann Arbor and about 45 minutes from Detroit, you have your choice of professional opportunities in either city. Industries such as automotive, architectural engineering, finance, services and technology are among the most popular in both areas. If you'd rather stay local for work, major employers in town include the local school district, Yazaki North America and Walmart.

Canton Schools

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Wayne-Westland Community Schools and Van Buren Public Schools serve the public schools of Canton. In addition to traditional public schools, Canton also offers numerous public charter and private schools.

Resources for Moving to Canton

Here's some handy information to make your move to Canton as easy as possible:

• Utilities: Canton's primary energy provider is DTE Energy, while the township utilities department facilitates water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: The township provides curbside trash, recyclables and composting collection services.
• Transportation: Senior citizens and disabled individuals can utilize the township's low-cost community transportation service.

Canton Housing

The housing market in Canton is very diverse, featuring condos, apartments, traditional single-family homes and luxury homes. The current average price for a home in Canton is slightly higher than in comparable areas, but that's to be expected when you account for Canton's proximity to major cities and attractions in the area.

Neighborhoods such as Antique Forest are upscale, with luxury homes set on manicured lawns. More affordable homes can be found in neighborhoods like Glengarry Village and Woods. If you're looking for lower-priced apartment complexes and condos, you'll find them closer to the township's commercial areas.