Canton Real Estate and Community Information

Canton, Michigan became a charter township in 1961 because of its growing population, and now enjoys a full-service police and fire department, library, recreational department and more. Canton’s population is about 90,000, and the charter township covers more than 36 square miles of land. Canton has a low population density, leaving plenty of open spaces for residents to enjoy.

Early inhabitants of the area included the Potawatomi Indians, who developed trails that are still used today, including Ridge Road, the Ann Arbor Trail and Geddes Road. The first European settlers to the area faced swampland and dense forests as well as mosquitoes, bears and wolves after they began to cross using the Erie Canal in 1825. They soon turned the land into farmland that became known for its sweet corn and dairy production. The town became a township in 1834, and soon schools began popping up througout the area. Four of the original nine schools still remain today as historical sites.

Shopping and Dining

Canton is home to plenty of big box stores like Ikea, Kohl's and Marshall's as well as small boutique stores like JJ's Antiques, Collectibles and More. Most shoppers are attracted to Canton's Ford Road, which has more than 300 stores, restaurants and services, including apparel, entertainment, bookstores and bakeries and is within easy access of most Canton real estate.

There are plenty of places to eat in Canton. Restaurants include everything from local cafes to larger chain restaurants that serve international cuisine and standard American fare. Canton offers diners choices including Alex's Family Dining, the Bowery Grill and Pub and well known chains Applebee's, Chili's and Outback Steakhouse.

Parks and Recreation

There are plenty of things to do during all four seasons in Canton, including hiking and biking in the warmer months and skiing and ice skating venues just a short drive away during the winter months. The Canton Sports Center offers outdoor fields for softball, football, baseball and archery, while the Summit on the Park recreational facility offers a pool, fitness center, sauna, aerobics studio, racquetball, a track and meeting rooms. There are two golfing locations, including Pheasant Run and Fellows Creek, and several parks with playgrounds and trails within easy access of Canton Michigan real estate. The newest park, Splash Playground, offers children a way to have fun in the water...just touch the fire hydrant and watch it start spraying!

Cherry Hill is a village that remains a historic site today, allowing visitors to see the historic church and school built in the 1800s. The Village Theater at Cherry Hill offers music, dance and live theater performances, plus classes in all art forms, fine art exhibits, and multicultural and community events.

Living

Canton made City-Data.com's list of the top 100 cities with the biggest and newest houses, and there are also plenty of restored, historical gems tucked away in the Canton Michigan real estate listings. The estimated median house or condo value in 2009 was just over $200,000 while the cost of living is a few points lower than the national average; the median household income for the area is significantly above the state average.

Many residents are well educated, with 39 percent of adult residents having a bachelor's degree or higher, and many employed as engineers, sales representatives and executives. More than half of the adult residents are currently married. Canton offers quiet living with easy access to metropolitan areas, including Ann Arbor about 17 miles away and Detroit, which is about 31 miles distant. Chicago is just over 250 miles away. The Canton Public Library serves residents in the township and surrounding areas.

Schools, Health, Transportation

Canton is home to ITT Technical Institute and within a 20-minute drive of Schoolcraft College, the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and others colleges and universities. It also offers Plymouth, Salem and Canton High Schools as well as two private high schools: Plymouth Christian Academy and Agape Christian Academy. There are several public elementary and middle schools in the area and several private schools, including All Saints School, Real Life Nursery School and Plymouth-Canton Montessori School.

The Oakwood Annapolis Hospital is six miles away, Garden City Hospital is eight miles away and St. Mary Mercy Hospital is also eight miles away; all offer acute care and emergency services. Transportation in the area includes the Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal Airport and executive heliport as well as three Amtrak stations just under 15 miles away. Canton is close to Interstate 275 and Michigan Highways 12 and 153.


If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (248) 912-9799 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.