Cherokee County, Georgia
Living in Canton, GA
Canton is the county seat of Cherokee County, about 40 miles north of downtown Atlanta along I-575. The Etowah River runs right through the middle of town, and it still has the feel of an old Georgia mill town, because it was one: Canton was once known for Canton Denim, made at the Canton Cotton Mills.
A mill town that’s growing fast
Downtown has come back to life. Since the Canton Main Street program began in 2010, historic buildings including former schools, a textile mill and the Jones Mercantile building have been restored, and the old Canton Cotton Mill is now The Mill on Etowah.
Growth is the big story here. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Canton grew from about 33,000 residents in 2020 to an estimated 40,800 in 2025, and Cherokee County now has nearly 300,000 people. Buyers come for the river, the trails and newer homes, with the North Georgia mountains a short drive north.
Mailing addresses and city limits
A Canton mailing address (30114 or 30115) covers much more than the city itself, including communities like Hickory Flat and Sixes that sit outside city limits in unincorporated Cherokee County.
Getting around
I-575 runs along the east side of town and connects to I-75 toward Atlanta, and GA 20 runs east toward Cumming and GA 400. A drive that feels easy on a Sunday can feel very different at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday, so test your commute with your map app’s “depart at” setting and your real work hours.
Taxes and the homestead exemption
Property taxes are set by Cherokee County (including the school system), and homes inside city limits also pay City of Canton taxes, which the Cherokee County Tax Commissioner bills and collects. In Georgia you have to apply for the homestead exemption, and you generally need to own and live in the home on January 1. Cherokee County takes applications in person at the Tax Assessor’s office; confirm the current deadline with the county.
Things to Do
A River Town with a Real Main Street
Historic Downtown Canton
A brick-paved Main Street with restaurants and shops, plus First Friday events with live music and food trucks. Much of downtown’s history has been restored through the city’s Main Street program.
Visit website →Historic Canton Theatre
Showing films as early as 1911 and restored to its 1930s Art Deco look in 2000, the theatre now hosts plays, concerts, comedy and movie nights all year.
Visit website →The Mill on Etowah
Built in 1900, the old Canton Cotton Mill made denim until 1981. Today it’s home to a brewery, restaurants, shops and an events green on the banks of the Etowah River.
Visit website →Etowah River Park
58 acres on the river with a canoe launch, an amphitheater, inclusive playgrounds and a walking trail that connects to the Etowah River Trail and Heritage Park.
Visit website →Blankets Creek
Seven mountain bike trails near Lake Allatoona, from flat beginner loops to expert flow lines, built and maintained by volunteers with SORBA Woodstock.
Visit website →Lake Canton
Hickory Log Creek Reservoir covers about 411 acres with 15 miles of shoreline. Only electric motors, canoes and kayaks are allowed, which keeps it quiet for fishing and paddling.
Visit website →Descriptions, hours, events and dates can change. Please check each organization’s website for current details. These links go to outside websites that David Chou does not control.
Schools
Schools in Canton, GA
Every public school with a Canton address. Canton is served by Cherokee County School District. The Canton mailing address covers a wide area, including Hickory Flat and Sixes, so not every school here is inside city limits. Assignments go by exact address, so two homes a few streets apart can be zoned for different schools. Always confirm with the district before you make an offer. Ratings and parent reviews open on GreatSchools.org.
| School | Level | Grades | GreatSchools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Elementary School 6391 E Cherokee Dr, Canton, GA 30115 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Cherokee High School 930 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA 30114 | High | 9-12 | View ratings |
| Clayton Elementary School 221 Upper Burris Rd, Canton, GA 30114 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Creekland Middle School 1555 Owens Store Rd, Canton, GA 30115 | Middle | 6-8 | View ratings |
| Creekview High School 1550 Owens Store Rd, Canton, GA 30115 | High | 9-12 | View ratings |
| Dean Rusk Middle School 2761 E Cherokee Dr, Canton, GA 30115 | Middle | 6-8 | View ratings |
| Freedom Middle School 10550 Bells Ferry Rd, Canton, GA 30114 | Middle | 6-8 | View ratings |
| Hickory Flat Elementary School 2755 E Cherokee Dr, Canton, GA 30115 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Holly Springs Elementary School 1965 Hickory Rd, Canton, GA 30115 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| iGrad Virtual Academy 8871 Knox Bridge Hwy, Canton, GA 30114 | High | 9-12 | View ratings |
| Indian Knoll Elementary School 3635 Univeter Rd, Canton, GA 30115 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| J. Knox Elementary School 151 River Bend Way, Canton, GA 30114 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Liberty Elementary School 10500 Bells Ferry Rd, Canton, GA 30114 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Macedonia Elementary School 10370 E Cherokee Dr, Canton, GA 30115 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Sequoyah High School 4485 Hickory Rd, Canton, GA 30115 | High | 9-12 | View ratings |
| Sixes Elementary School 20 Ridge Rd, Canton, GA 30114 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
| Teasley Middle School 151 Hickory Log Dr, Canton, GA 30114 | Middle | 6-8 | View ratings |
| William G. Hasty Sr. Elementary School 205 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114 | Elementary | PK-5 | View ratings |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (2025–26 school directory). Listing a school does not mean it serves a particular home.
School information is for general reference only and may contain errors or be out of date. Attendance zones are set by each school district and can change at any time, and a school appearing here does not mean it serves a particular home. The district’s assignment for the exact address is the only official answer, so please verify it directly with the school district before making any decision. GreatSchools ratings and reviews are third-party information.
By the Numbers
Overview for Canton, GA
About 40,800 people live in the city of Canton, where the median age is 34.5 and the median household income is $80,091. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Demographics and Employment
Data for Canton, GA
Population by age group
Education level (age 25+)
Homeownership
Cherokee County for comparison
Cherokee County has 101,514 households averaging 2.75 people, with a median household income of $108,115.
Commute time
Getting around
I-575 is the main route south toward I-75 and Atlanta. About four in ten Canton commuters drive 30 to 59 minutes each way, so test your route at rush hour before you buy.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2025 population estimate, growth and density from QuickFacts; all other figures from the 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for the city of Canton. Survey figures are estimates with margins of error.
FAQ
Common Questions About Canton
What county is Canton, GA in?
Cherokee County. Canton is the county seat. Many homes with a Canton mailing address sit outside city limits in unincorporated Cherokee County.
What zip codes does Canton have?
Canton uses 30114 and 30115. Both reach well beyond city limits; 30115 covers much of eastern Cherokee County, including Hickory Flat.
What is the population of Canton, GA?
An estimated 40,778 people as of July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, up about 24% since 2020.
How far is Canton from Atlanta?
About 40 miles north of downtown Atlanta by I-575 and I-75, and about 49 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Drive times depend heavily on traffic and time of day, so test your commute at rush hour.
Is Canton, GA in the mountains?
Not quite. Canton sits in the rolling foothills between Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Mountains, so the North Georgia mountains are an easy day trip.
Does Canton have a downtown?
Yes. Historic downtown Canton has a Main Street with restaurants and shops, the Historic Canton Theatre and First Friday events. The Mill on Etowah is a short drive away on the river.
What should I know before moving to Canton?
A few things catch newcomers off guard: a Canton address may be outside city limits; school assignments go by exact address; you have to apply for the homestead exemption in person with Cherokee County; and Cherokee County requires emissions testing for most cars. My free Relocation Guide covers all of this in more detail.
How do I look up property records and taxes in Canton?
Search any property on Cherokee County’s qPublic property records site. City of Canton taxes are billed and collected by the Cherokee County Tax Commissioner along with county and school taxes (see the City of Canton’s tax page).
Do seniors get property tax breaks in Cherokee County?
Yes. Cherokee County has senior exemptions that start at ages 62 and 65 (some are income-based), and you generally need to have had a Cherokee County homestead exemption for at least five years. See the county’s Homestead Exemptions page for current rules.
Does Cherokee County require emissions testing?
Yes. Cherokee is one of the 13 metro Atlanta counties where gasoline-powered passenger vehicles need an emissions test before registration. Details are on Georgia’s Clean Air Force.
Where can I find crime information for Canton?
Use the official source: the Canton Police Department. You can contact them or check their reports yourself.
Answers are general information, current as of October 2026, and may contain errors. Rules, tax rates, deadlines and exemptions change, so please confirm with the official source linked in each answer.
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Disclaimer. The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only. It is believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently reviewed and verified.
Listing information is provided through the multiple listing service and may not include every property for sale. All listings are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice. Square footage, acreage, school assignments, HOA details, property taxes, and other property information are approximate and should be confirmed by the buyer with the appropriate sources.
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