Canton, Massachusetts
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Canton is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,775.
The headquarters of Reebok are located in Canton.
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History
Canton was first settled in 1630 and was officially incorporated in 1797. Paul Revere once had a factory there, and wrote a poem about the town. Canton claims also to have been the birthplace of Rising Sun Stove Polish as well as the pay toilet.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.7 km² (19.6 mi²). 49.0 km² (18.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.27% water.
Canton lies at the foot of Great Blue Hill. The Neponset River flows through the center of the town, linking a chain of small lakes including Bolivar and Forge Ponds. 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, and Boston.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 20,775 people, 7,952 households, and 5,550 families residing in the town. The population density is 423.7/km² (1,097.3/mi²). There are 8,163 housing units at an average density of 166.5/km² (431.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 92.52% White, 2.88% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,952 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% are married couples living together, 8.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% are non-families. 25.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the town the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $69,260, and the median income for a family is $82,904. Males have a median income of $52,216 versus $40,755 for females. The per capita income for the town is $33,510. 3.4% of the population and 2.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government
Canton has the open town meeting form of government. Annually each spring, and as necessary, the voters gather to discuss matters such as construction, schools, public works, recreational facilities, the budget, taxes and bond issues.
Property taxes on residential and other land, buildings and improvements, and transfers from the state government, are two important sources of revenue for the town.
The five elected members of the Board of Selectmen oversee the day-to-day operations of the town government.
Various organizations such as the Finance Committee and the Planning Board advise the voters at the town meeting and carry out administrative functions throughout the year.
Transportation
Interstate Routes 93 and 95 (Massachusetts Route 128) diverge in Canton. Route 93 goes east, then north into Boston, from which it continues north into New Hampshire. Route 95 is locally a beltway that skirts Boston to the west, continues circling Boston until it is north of the city, then goes north through New Hampshire into Maine. South of Canton, it leads to Rhode Island, New York, Washington, D.C. and ultimately to Florida.
Massachusetts Route 138 has a cloverleaf interchange with Route 93 in Canton near Great Blue Hill. From Canton, it goes north into Milton, then enters Boston in the Mattapan section. South of Canton, it travels to Stoughton, continuing into Rhode Island, ending in Newport.
Massachusetts Route 24 is a divided, limited-access highway that originates at Route 93 in Randolph, just east of Canton. From there, it goes south through the easternmost corner of Canton, running roughly parallel to Route 138 as far as Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
MBTA commuter rail trains on the Attleboro/Stoughton Line pass through Canton. Some stop at Canton Junction. This line crosses the Neponset River on the Viaduct, a prominent local landmark. Route 128 Station in neighboring Westwood also carries many Canton commuters into Boston. Amtrak trains (including the Acela Express high-speed trains) also stop at Route 128, but pass through Canton without stopping.
Another line branches into Stoughton, stopping at Canton Center.
Bus service is available to Mattapan Station in the MBTA system.
Although Canton once had an airfield, it no longer does. Norwood Municipal Airport is the closest airport to Canton. For scheduled air service, residents go to Boston's Logan International Airport or to T. F. Green Airport in Rhode Island.
External links:
- Town Web Site (http://www.town.canton.ma.us/)
- Canton Historical Society (http://www.canton.org/)
- Canton Viaduct (http://www.cantonviaduct.us)