Canton is located in Haywood County North Carolina and is the second largest city in the county. This area was originally Cherokee Indian Territory. The town was founded in 1889 and was originally known as Buford and changed to Pigeon Ford in 1891. The town was finally changed to Canton in 1893. The town was named after Canton, Ohio, the supplier of steel for the bridge over the Pigeon River. Canton North Carolina is located among five mountains and along the banks of the Pigeon River in Western North Carolina. It is positioned between Waynesville, NC (the county seat) and Asheville, NC, (13 miles to the east) with nearby smaller communities of Beaverdam, Clyde, Bethel, and Candler, NC. The moderate climate has four distinct seasons which makes Canton a very desirable destination year round. Canton is also convenient to the Asheville regional airport. Canton is a beautiful residential community which lies along tree-lined streets and is a small quaint town. The most recent census of 2000 recorded that there were 4,029 people, 1,819 households, and 1,118 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,054.6 people per square mile. There were 1,819 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 that were living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 10.5% included a female head of the household with no husband present. The count showed that 20.3% had someone over 65 living there. The houshold median income at the time was $28,775 and $38,191 median income for families. Canton is the home to Blue Ridge Papers, Incorporated, which is Haywood County's largest industry. This mill produces paper and allied products. There are two industrial parks that have been developed just north of Canton North Carolina. Canton does have a recreation program as part of its services to its citizens along with its guests. The RecreationPark includes a large, modern swimming pool, picnic tables, playground, lighted tennis courts, and has baseball fields adjacent to this park. Activities will include "Pickin in the Park" in the summer months, a walking trail surrounding the park area; an annual Labor Day celebration, the annual lighted night Christmas parade, and a festival of lights during the Christmas holiday season. Canton is within easy access of several fine golf courses (including Springdale Country Club 18 hole course). Hiking and nature trails and superior trout and bass fishing are a part of the nearby National Forest. Close to Canton are the nation's two most visited national parks; Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. Located near Canton is also Cold Mountain which lies near Bethel and the Maggie Valley area which has the Cataloochee Ski Slopes with facilities for all classes of levels of skiers. Canton NC Real Estate For Sale Information Canton homes for sale range in price from $69,000 to $600,000 with a median price of $155,000. Land to build a home on in Canton, NC ranges from $9500 to $495,000 with a median price of $74,000. MLS Listing Search page is the access to all Canton NC real estate listings. |