CANTON MA

Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,775 at the 2000 census.

The headquarters of Reebok, Baskin Robbins, Computershare (North American HQ), Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants Interpolymer Corporation and Tweeter are located in Canton.

History

Canton was officially incorporated in 1797 from the town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Some stories suggest that the name "Canton" comes from the early belief that Canton, China was on the complete opposite side of the earth. Paul Revere once had a silver smelt there, and wrote the poem entitled Canton Dale about his affection for the town. Canton is also the birthplace of the Rising Sun Stove Polish Company founded by Elijah Morse.

 Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.6 square miles (50.7 km²), of which, 18.9 square miles (49.0 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.7 km²) of it (3.27%) is water.

Canton lies at the foot of Great Blue Hill. The Canton River flows through the center of the town, linking a chain of small lakes including Bolivar and Forge Ponds and flowing into the Neponset River. The Neponset River forms the boundary between Canton and its western neighbors: Norwood, Westwood, and Dedham. In addition to wooded land, the area includes wetlands, particularly in the eastern part along Route 138 near the Randolph and Stoughton, and in the western part along Route 95.

Canton has boundaries with Massachusetts towns and cities Milton, Randolph, Stoughton, Sharon, Norwood, Westwood, Dedham, and Boston.

 Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 20,775 people, 7,952 households, and 5,550 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,097.3 people per square mile (423.7/km²). There were 8,163 housing units at an average density of 431.1/sq mi (166.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.52% White, 2.88% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.01% Asian, 0.0003 Overlan, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 7,952 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $69,260, and the median income for a family was $82,904. Males had a median income of $52,216 versus $40,755 for females. The per capita income for the town was $33,510. About 2.2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.