Canton is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Stark County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio and is situated on the Nimishillen Creek, approximately 24 miles (38 km) south of Akron and 60 miles (96 km) south of Cleveland. Canton is bordered by Plain Township and North Canton to the north, Meyers Lake and Perry Township to the west, Canton Township to the South, and Nimishillen Township, Osnaburg Township and East Canton to the east. Annexations were approved in December 2006 extending Canton's eastern boundary to East Canton's border.

As of the census of 2000, there were 80,806 people, 32,489 households, and 19,785 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,518.2/km² (3,932.1/mi²). There were 35,502 housing units at an average density of 667.0/km² (1,728.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.45% White, 21.04% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 3.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.