Organic growth and strong sense of community in Canton
Canton, founded in 1861, is the seat of Lincoln County and one of the oldest established areas in the Dakota Territory. A wave of Norwegian immigrants doubled the population a few years later, and the community built new churches, published its first newspaper and operated a rail freight service. Today, Canton is home to just over 3,000 people and is considered a suburb of the Sioux Falls area. It has a locally focused downtown scene, diverse outdoor recreation and hosts several community-oriented annual events.
Midcentury homes, new developments and low median sales pricing
Streets in Canton are quiet, shaded by trees and lined with tidy front yard gardens. On its outskirts, fields stretch out toward the horizon, a reminder of the area's rural setting. Architecture in Canton is wide-ranging due to the population increase in recent years. While many vintage homes still stand and have been renovated, a flood of new housing cropped up in the early 21st century. Craftsman and ornate Traditional Folk styles often share the sidewalk with contemporary custom and New Traditional builds. Along with the variety of housing options, the price range for Canton homes is vast. The median sales price is about $240,000, much lower than the national median of $436,000. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Outdoor recreation in and around Canton
Canton Parks and Recreation Department maintains several green spaces and sports areas. The community has a public pool, several athletic fields where local leagues play and a nine-hole golf course. The Hiawatha Golf Club was established in 1984 and is open to the public, hosting several tournaments yearly. Newton Hills State Park is just 6 miles south of central Canton and is defined by its dense woodland and open prairie. The area is popular for hiking and biking along winding trails, fishing and horseback riding.
Education for local kids with the Canton School District
Canton School District serves the area, and South Dakota offers limited school choice. In 2008, with support from the city board and donors, the Canton School District established The Canton Public Schools K-12 Foundation, a nonprofit organization. South Dakota Community Foundation manages its funds, and the money is used for teacher grants, school district events and community activities. Kids can start school at Lawrence Elementary, which scores a B-plus from Niche. Students can move on to Canton Middle School, which gets a B, and then attend B-minus-rated Canton High.
Local businesses in downtown Canton and nearby retail plazas
Canton is a place is many local businesses instead of shopping malls and large retail outlets. Fifth Street is lined with historic brick buildings that house specialty shops, cafés and restaurants. Residents shop for groceries at Sunshine Foods, pick up lattes from Laurie's Café and watch sports games over burgers and beer at Sioux Valley Grille. Most locals will drive 19 miles to Sioux Falls' south side for bulk shopping trips to hit up big-box stores like Walmart and Costco.
Popular annual events bring the community together
Every year on the first weekend in August, the Sioux River Folk Festival takes place in Newton Hills State Park. For three days, the park is vibrant with the sounds of live music, and food trucks roll up to serve visitors. When December rolls around, Christmas in Canton spreads out down Fifth Street. Local artisans and restaurants set up booths, and the community gathers to watch the annual tree lighting and Christmas parade.
Navigating the area via major roads
Canton is intersected by Highway 18, a major thoroughfare which runs east-west through South Dakota from the Wyoming state line to the Iowa state line. Route 11 spans the 24 miles it takes to get to the heart of Sioux Falls, which is usually a 35-minute drive with the area's low traffic rate. The Canton Airport does not operate commercial flights, so most will drive the 28 miles to the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
