Canton Township, Michigan
Encyclopedia
The Charter Township of Canton, usually referred to as Canton, is an affluent charter township
of Wayne County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The commuter town
is located 23 miles (37 km) west of Detroit and 17 miles (27.4 km) east of Ann Arbor. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 90,173, making it Michigan's second largest township and eleventh largest community. Canton is one of Michigan's fastest-growing communities.
. It was named after the city of Canton
in China. The name was chosen for the purpose of not conflicting with the name of any post office in existence at the time. At the time, there was a territorial law from April 12, 1827, prohibiting the incorporation of any new township having the same name as any existing post office. However, on October 20, 1829, the legislature had passed legislation creating the townships of Lima and Richland out of Bucklin Township. Governor Lewis Cass
returned the acts unapproved, citing a conflict under the law. The legislature thus had to substitute the names of Nankin
and Pekin after the cities of Nanking
and Peking
in China. Although the name of Pekin was changed to Redford
in 1833, apparently when naming Canton, the legislature decided to continue having at least two townships named for Chinese cities.
The first meeting to organize the township was held in April 1834.
In the summer of 2002, the emerald ash borer
was discovered in Canton.
The Canton Historical Society and Museum
opened in 1982 in a one-roomed school house.
, the township has a total area of 36 square miles (93.2 km²). No part of the total area is covered by water. The south of the township is drained by the Lower River Rouge
and its tributaries, including Pine Creek, which drains from the northwest corner to the southeast. The northeast is drained by Tonquish Creek and Garden Creek, which are tributaries of the Middle River Rouge.
(which serves the northern 2/3 portion of Canton), Wayne-Westland Community Schools
(which serves the south-eastern portion of Canton) and Van Buren Public Schools
(which serves the south-western portion of the township). P-CCS includes most of Canton Township, the city of Plymouth
, Plymouth Township
, and portions of Salem, Superior, and Northville Townships.
(* Part of the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
)
(CDP) at the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places (like cities and villages) as well on the list of county subdivisions (like other townships). The final statistics for the township and the CDP were identical.
As of the census of 2000, there were 76,366 people, 27,490 households, and 20,562 families residing in the township. The population density
was 2,121.5 per square mile (819.0/km²). There were 28,430 housing units at an average density of 789.8 per square mile (304.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 83.87% White, 4.54% African American, 0.29% Native American, 8.73% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races
, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population.
There were 27,490 households out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.26. The median household price was $239,900 according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey estimates.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $82,669, and the median income for a family was $95,267.http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US2616313120&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US24%7C16000US2472450&_street=&_county=canton&_cityTown=canton&_state=04000US26&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Males had a median income of $61,570 versus $35,615 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $28,609. About 2.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Charter township
A charter township is a form of local government in the U.S. state of Michigan. Townships in Michigan are organized governments. A charter township is a township that has been granted a charter, which allows it certain rights and responsibilities of home rule that are generally intermediary in...
of Wayne County
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The commuter town
Commuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
is located 23 miles (37 km) west of Detroit and 17 miles (27.4 km) east of Ann Arbor. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 90,173, making it Michigan's second largest township and eleventh largest community. Canton is one of Michigan's fastest-growing communities.
Communities
- Sheldon or Sheldon's Corners is a historic locale in the south of the township on U.S. Route 12U.S. Route 12U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east–west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost . As a thoroughfare, it has mostly been supplanted by I-90 and I-94, but remains an important road for local travel.The...
just west of Interstate 275Interstate 275 (Michigan)Interstate 275 in the US state of Michigan is an Interstate Highway that functions as a western bypass of the Detroit metropolitan area. The Michigan Department of Transportation maintains it as a component of the larger state trunkline highway system. The freeway runs through the western suburbs...
at 42°16′29"N 83°28′33"W. It is named after Timothy F. Sheldon who purchased lands there in 1842. - Cherry HillCherry Hill, Michigan-External links:*...
is a historic locale in the west of the township at 42°18′22"N 83°32′10"W at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road and Ridge Road. It is the site of a new urbanistNew urbanismNew Urbanism is an urban design movement, which promotes walkable neighborhoods that contain a range of housing and job types. It arose in the United States in the early 1980s, and has gradually continued to reform many aspects of real estate development, urban planning, and municipal land-use...
neighborhood with architecture that is supposed to be reminiscent of what Canton was like a hundred years ago. It is located on a rise over a branch of the Lower River RougeRiver Rouge (Michigan)The River Rouge, also known as the Rouge River, is a river in the Metro Detroit area of southeastern Michigan. It flows into the Detroit River at Zug Island, which is the boundary between the cities of River Rouge and Detroit....
. It is now the site of a theatre, the Village Theater. Cherry Hill Village is evolving into the "downtown" area, much like downtown PlymouthPlymouth, MichiganPlymouth is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,132 at the 2010 census. The City of Plymouth is an enclave completely surrounded by Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan.-Geography:...
.
History
The township of Canton was created by act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature on March 7, 1834 out of what had been Plymouth TownshipPlymouth Township, Michigan
The Charter Township of Plymouth is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 27,524 at the 2010 census...
. It was named after the city of Canton
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
in China. The name was chosen for the purpose of not conflicting with the name of any post office in existence at the time. At the time, there was a territorial law from April 12, 1827, prohibiting the incorporation of any new township having the same name as any existing post office. However, on October 20, 1829, the legislature had passed legislation creating the townships of Lima and Richland out of Bucklin Township. Governor Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, a U.S. Senator representing Michigan, and co-founder as well as first Masonic Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan...
returned the acts unapproved, citing a conflict under the law. The legislature thus had to substitute the names of Nankin
Nankin Township, Michigan
Nankin Township, Michigan, is a former township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan.The township was first organized in 1827 as "Bucklin Township" and included what is now the cities of Westland, Livonia, Garden City, Inkster, Wayne, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Redford Township. In...
and Pekin after the cities of Nanking
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
and Peking
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
in China. Although the name of Pekin was changed to Redford
Redford Township, Michigan
The U.S. Census Bureau also defined Redford Township as a census-designated place in the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places as well on the list of county subdivisions...
in 1833, apparently when naming Canton, the legislature decided to continue having at least two townships named for Chinese cities.
The first meeting to organize the township was held in April 1834.
In the summer of 2002, the emerald ash borer
Emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer is a green beetle native to Asia.In North America the borer is an invasive species, highly destructive to ash trees in its introduced range. The potential damage of this insect rivals that of Chestnut blight and Dutch Elm Disease...
was discovered in Canton.
The Canton Historical Society and Museum
The Canton Historical Society and Museum
The Canton Historical Society and Museum located in Canton, Michigan was originally a one-roomed school house, which was built in 1884. It showed clearly that the museum was built using Georgian Revival architecture. The one-roomed school house was built for grades K-12, which was one of many...
opened in 1982 in a one-roomed school house.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 36 square miles (93.2 km²). No part of the total area is covered by water. The south of the township is drained by the Lower River Rouge
River Rouge (Michigan)
The River Rouge, also known as the Rouge River, is a river in the Metro Detroit area of southeastern Michigan. It flows into the Detroit River at Zug Island, which is the boundary between the cities of River Rouge and Detroit....
and its tributaries, including Pine Creek, which drains from the northwest corner to the southeast. The northeast is drained by Tonquish Creek and Garden Creek, which are tributaries of the Middle River Rouge.
Top employers
According to the Charter Township's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Plymouth-Canton Community Schools The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is a school district headquartered at E. J. McClendon Educational Center in Plymouth, Michigan. The district's boundary includes areas in Wayne County and Washtenaw County.-Schools:... |
2,500 |
| 2 | Yazaki Yazaki is a worldwide supplier of automotive equipment, gas meters and air-conditioning equipment. The main business is automotive equipment like electrical wiring harnesses, components like connectors, terminals, fuses and boxes and electronic devices such as instrument clusters.The Yazaki Group employs... North America |
1,062 |
| 3 | Walmart | 650 |
| 4 | A. D. Transport Express | 550 |
| 5 | Sysco SYSCO Sysco Corporation is the global leader in marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, hotels and inns, and other foodservice and hospitality businesses... Detroit |
540 |
| 6 | Charter Township of Canton | 356 |
| 7 | Meijer Meijer Meijer, Inc. is a regional American hypermarket chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962. About half of the company's 196 stores are located in Michigan, with additional locations in... |
339 |
| 8 | IKEA IKEA IKEA is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds and desks, appliances and home accessories. The company is the world's largest furniture retailer... |
314 |
| 9 | Kroger Kroger The Kroger Co. is an American supermarket chain founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It reported US$ 76.7 billion in sales during fiscal year 2009. It is the country's largest grocery store chain and its second-largest grocery retailer by volume and second-place general retailer... |
250 |
| 10 | The Home Depot The Home Depot The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain... |
230 |
Education
Canton Township is served by the Plymouth-Canton Community SchoolsPlymouth-Canton Community Schools
The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is a school district headquartered at E. J. McClendon Educational Center in Plymouth, Michigan. The district's boundary includes areas in Wayne County and Washtenaw County.-Schools:...
(which serves the northern 2/3 portion of Canton), Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is a school district headquartered in Westland, Michigan.-High schools:Zoned* John Glenn High School* Wayne Memorial High SchoolAlternative* William D...
(which serves the south-eastern portion of Canton) and Van Buren Public Schools
Van Buren Public Schools
The Van Buren Public Schools is a school district headquartered in Belleville, Michigan.-Secondary schools:* Belleville High School * North Middle School * South Middle School -Primary schools:...
(which serves the south-western portion of the township). P-CCS includes most of Canton Township, the city of Plymouth
Plymouth, Michigan
Plymouth is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,132 at the 2010 census. The City of Plymouth is an enclave completely surrounded by Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan.-Geography:...
, Plymouth Township
Plymouth Township, Michigan
The Charter Township of Plymouth is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 27,524 at the 2010 census...
, and portions of Salem, Superior, and Northville Townships.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
- Roosevelt Elementary School
- Walker-Winter Elementary School
- Adams Upper Elementary
- Marshall Upper Elementary
- Franklin Middle School
- Stevenson Middle School
- John Glenn High School
- Wayne Memorial High School
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
- Allen Elementary School
- Bentley Elementary School
- Bird Elementary School
- Canton High School *
- Central Middle School
- Chaney Elementary School
- Discovery Middle School
- Dodson Elementary School
- East Middle School
- Eriksson Elementary School
- Farrand Elementary School
- Fiegel Elementary School
- Field Elementary School
- Gallimore Elementary School
- Hoben Elementary School
- Hulsing Elementary School
- Isbister Elementary School
- Miller Elementary School
- Pioneer Middle School
- Plymouth High School *
- Salem High School *
- Smith Elementary School
- Starkweather Center (Alternative education)
- Tanger Center (Alternative education)
- Tonda Elementary School
- West Middle School
- Workman Elementary School
(* Part of the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
The Plymouth-Canton Educational Park encompasses three public secondary schools—Salem High School, Canton High School, and Plymouth High School—in Canton Township, Michigan, United States. PCEP is located on a campus in Wayne County...
)
Public charter schools
- Canton Charter Academy
- Achieve Charter Academy
- South Canton Scholars Charter Academy
- Canton Charter Academy
Private schools
- All Saints Catholic School
- Plymouth Christian Academy
- Plymouth Canton Montessori
- Crescent Academy International
Demographics
The U.S. Census Bureau also defined Canton Township as a census-designated placeCensus-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) at the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places (like cities and villages) as well on the list of county subdivisions (like other townships). The final statistics for the township and the CDP were identical.
As of the census of 2000, there were 76,366 people, 27,490 households, and 20,562 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,121.5 per square mile (819.0/km²). There were 28,430 housing units at an average density of 789.8 per square mile (304.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 83.87% White, 4.54% African American, 0.29% Native American, 8.73% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population.
There were 27,490 households out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.26. The median household price was $239,900 according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey estimates.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $82,669, and the median income for a family was $95,267.http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US2616313120&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US24%7C16000US2472450&_street=&_county=canton&_cityTown=canton&_state=04000US26&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Males had a median income of $61,570 versus $35,615 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $28,609. About 2.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Brian CalhounBrian CalhounBrian Calhoun is a gridiron football running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin....
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
back-up running back - Louis DelmasLouis DelmasLouis Delmas is an American Football safety that plays for the Detroit Lions.-Early life and high school career:Delmas played high school football at North Miami Beach High School in North Miami Beach, Florida....
, Detroit Lions safety - Spencer HaywoodSpencer HaywoodSpencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School...
, retired NBA player - Lindsey HunterLindsey HunterLindsey Benson Hunter, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player. He was a point guard in the National Basketball Association from 1993 to 2010, spending most of his career with Detroit Pistons...
, Chicago BullsChicago BullsThe Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
and former Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
point guard - Kevin Jones, Chicago Bears running back
- Kirk Jones, first person to have survived an intentional plunge over the Niagara Falls without a safety device
- Nate RobertsonNate RobertsonNathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:...
, former Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
pitcher - Steve RosenbergCheating in chessCheating in chess refers to a deliberate violation of the rules of chess or other unethical behaviour that is intended to give an unfair advantage to a player or team. Cheating can occur in many forms and can take place before, during, or possibly even after a game...
, caught cheating for chess as he was leading in the final round of the Philadelphia World open 2006. - Jason StollsteimerJason StollsteimerJason Stollsteimer is the vocalist and guitarist for the American indie rock band The Von Bondies. Stollsteimer also is the main songwriter and producer of the Von Bondies...
, frontman of the band The Von BondiesThe Von BondiesThe Von Bondies were an American alternative rock band. The group disbanded in July 2011. Its most recent members were Jason Stollsteimer on vocals and lead guitar, Christy Hunt on rhythm guitar and Leann Banks on bass guitar... - James WisniewskiJames WisniewskiJames Joseph Wisniewski is an American professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
defenseman
External links
- Canton Township official website
- Canton Public Library
- Canton City Wiki
- Canton Historical Society
- Canton Township in History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan, Farmer, Silas, 1839–1902.