Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided · Public domainCanton spent less per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar towns
Canton’s town government spent $2.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $205 per resident.
What stands out about how Canton is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$205 per resident in 2022: less than 94% of them
Canton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($205 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 83 New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $547, and the middle half spent $378–$826. Canton spent less than 94% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Canton itself left out).
About $205 per resident a year, or $0.56 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 30%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Canton reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $4,308 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.64% of the home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Canton’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Canton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Canton →
Who’s in charge in Canton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Canton’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on cantonnewyork.us/portal.html ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 735 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (11,024).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Canton Central School District
Canton’s K–12 school district, shared with Canton, Rensselaer Falls. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $29,340 per pupil, $19,002 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
New York districts overall: 51% local, 41% state, 8% federal.
Hermon-DeKalb Central School District · $32,068 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Canton voted in 2024
Official results for Canton’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat57.3%2,248 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican41.9%1,641 votesOthers: 0.8% (31 votes).
Most votes in Canton: Kamala D Harris
St. Lawrence County: Trump 58.7%, Harris 40.8% · New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%
of Canton’s 9,633 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New York: 59%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Canton: Kirsten E Gillibrand
St. Lawrence County: Sapraicone 53.8%, Gillibrand 45.8% · New York: Gillibrand 58.8%, Sapraicone 40.5%
Most votes in the district: Elise M Stefanik
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Canton, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | 57.3% | 41.9% | 0.8% | 3,920 |
| St. Lawrence County | 40.8% | 58.7% | 0.5% | 44,168 |
| New York | 55.9% | 43.3% | 0.8% | 8,262,600 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Canton.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: cantonnewyork.us/portal.html ↗
- 2New York AssemblyState representatives
- 3New York SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New York
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Canton compares with the towns next door
Canton spent $205 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $228 to $565. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Potsdam | $228 | $4,032 |
| Oswegatchie | $441 | $2,307 |
| De Kalb | $485 | $1,816 |
| Lisbon | $565 | $3,137 |
| Russell | estimate | $2,235 |
| Pierrepont | estimate | $2,898 |
| Canton | $205 | $4,308 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Canton’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Canton’s government
How much does Canton spend per resident?
About $205 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $205 was less than 94% of 83 New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Canton?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,308 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.64% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see cantonnewyork.us/portal.html.
Who runs Canton’s government?
See cantonnewyork.us/portal.html for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Canton yet.
How did Canton vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 57.3%, Donald J Trump 41.9% (3,920 votes, official results). St. Lawrence County: Trump 58.7%, Harris 40.8%. New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%.
How many people work for Canton?
15 full-time and 12 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $75,808 (about $909,696 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Canton in the state legislature?
State Senate District 45 (Dan Stec) and Assembly District 116 (Scott Gray). The Assembly district also covers 46 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Canton’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →