Founded in 1832, Canton evolved from a Civil War manufacturing hub to a prosperous mill town to a city of 37,000--among the fastest-growing areas in the Atlanta metropolitan region. The Cherokee County city occupies a scenic spot along the Etowah River, and its well-preserved historic downtown is a community draw. But the city's rural vibe is changing. “At one point, Canton was known for its spacious, acre-sized properties,” says Joel Boss, a Realtor with 1 Look Real Estate who’s been selling houses in the area for six years. “Some residents are not pleased with the recent development; they sought a quieter lifestyle and are now seeing more retail, including a Starbucks, and new neighborhoods emerging. However, many welcome the growth for the added convenience of nearby amenities.”
While commuting the 40 miles to Atlanta can be challenging due to traffic, many residents work in Alpharetta, 18 miles away. It's home to around 700 tech-focused companies, and major employers there include Automatic Data Processing (ADP), Lexis Nexis and Fiserv.
Canton is a growing city with downtown amenities and quiet neighborhoods.
The Etowah River flows west-southwest through Canton and soon forms Lake Allatoona.
Downtown Canton offers a variety of restaurants with outdoor seating.
Canton boasts growing retail spaces offering more amenities to residents.
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Recreation and weather in Canton
Canton makes the most of its location on the Etowah River. The 163-mile Etowah River Trail has multiple entrances throughout the city for paddlers and kayakers. Etowah River Park is the largest in the area, covering over 58 acres with an outdoor amphitheater that hosts live concerts throughout the year. Nearby Lake Canton and Lake Allatoona Reservoir draw boaters and locals looking to fish. Red Top Mountain State Park is a popular camping spot about 25 miles away.
Canton experiences hot summers and short winters. “Snow is rare, maybe one or two days in February,” says Boss. "Natural disasters are uncommon; a tornado might touch down in metro Atlanta once every five years. The hills prevent much flooding since the water has places to go." Nevertheless, areas around the river were shut down following flooding after Hurricane Helene.
Residents can set sail on Lake Allatoona in Canton..
Lake Allatoona is a hot spot for water sports among residents.
Etowah River flows through Canton with trails and kayak launches.
New subdivisions arising in Canton border Lake Canton.
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A historic downtown and live concerts at The Mill on Etowah
Downtown Canton features red-brick sidewalks lined with historic buildings housing locally owned bakeries, breweries and restaurants. Along the river, a 120-year-old mill has been repurposed as a shopping and dining destination, The Mill on Etowah, with open space for live concerts on Fridays. Downtown’s historic Canton Theatre hosts plays and film screenings. In 2022, planning for a Public Art Master Plan began honoring Canton’s history through murals and a sculpture garden outside History Cherokee, the town’s historical society. Traditions come together during First Fridays, a warm-weather event series that supports downtown businesses with live music and food vendors. The Canton Farmers Market offers fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods on Saturdays in downtown’s Brown Park. Additional highlights include September's annual Multicultural Festival and Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival.
Shopping centers on the city's outskirts include Riverstone Plaza and Canton Marketplace with big-box stores and supermarkets. “[Canton’s] got a rural vibe where you can feel like you’re out in the sticks,” Boss says. “You’re never more than five minutes from a Target or a cow.”
First Friday in Downtown Canton lasts from 6pm to 9pm.
Residents can shop fresh produce and a variety of other products at the Canton Farmers Market.
The Mill at Etowah River is a re-use development that is a popular place in Canton, GA.
Canton's Public Art Master Plan includes the addition of murals honoring the city's history.
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Resort-style amenities anchor the neighborhood of Bridgemill
Canton is made up of sprawling neighborhoods with large, hilly lots of land surrounded by views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Canton remains one of the top areas for finding acreage, though that’s changing as demand rises and space runs out," Boss says. "If you want to find a lot to build on, those opportunities have mostly passed. Any vacant lot gets snapped up quickly.” Master-planned communities include BridgeMill, with over 2,800 homes surrounding an 18-hole golf course. “It’s one of the most popular neighborhoods—huge, and each section feels different." In 2024, Canton’s median home price was $530,000, significantly less than nearby Alpharetta's median of $750,000.
Residents can spend their evening at BridgeMill golf course with their neighbors in Canton.
Master-planned communities like BridgeMill in Canton offers residents peaceful suburban living.
You'll find newly constructed homes in Canton.
Canton boasts views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Highly rated Cherokee County School District
The Cherokee County School District has an A-minus grade from Niche. It serves over 42,000 students across 23 elementary schools, seven middle schools, six high schools, five STEM academies and two fine arts academies. The Cherokee College and Career (C3) Academy offers pathways in aviation and cybersecurity. Chattahoochee Technical College is a two-year institution that features a 700-acre campus with science and HVAC labs and serves nearly 3,000 students.
Canton continues to develop
According to Canton’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the city aims to add more compact residential developments and infill existing subdivisions and urban areas. Canton also plans to diversify neighborhoods with a variety of housing types. The city is developing a Transportation Master Plan to improve infrastructure and multimodal options while alleviating traffic congestion. A downtown parking deck was added in late 2023, with ongoing projects like Downtown to the Mill Pedestrian Improvements and the River Mill District Pedestrian Bridge.
In Canton, you can cross the Etowah River Bridge from Etowah River Park to Heritage Park.
New home developments are helping to grow Canton, GA.
Farmhouse styled homes are common in Canton, and can vary in size and color.
The Mill at Etowah River in Canton includes a brewery, restaurants, and a marketplace.
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Less than 25 miles from Marietta and 40 miles to Atlanta
Canton is 18 miles north of Alpharetta and less than 25 miles from Marietta via Interstate 575, which connects to I-75. The drive to Atlanta is about 40 miles, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, one of the busiest in the country, is about 50 miles away. Cherokee Area Transit Service offers a fixed route in Canton on weekdays only. Northside Hospital Cherokee is 3 miles away.
Crime in Canton
In 2023, the Canton Police Department’s crime rate was 51.26 per 100,000 residents. In addition to the CPD’s efforts, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office offers community programs, including a Citizens Academy and Neighborhood Watch, to promote crime prevention.
Written By
Pao Cordero
Photography Contributed By
Kristinah Archer
Video By
Samantha Houtchens
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Canton, GA sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Canton, GA over the last 12 months is $520,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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