Canton Michigan Real Estate
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Canton Michigan Homes
Canton is one of Wayne County’s most talked about communities because it seems to be growing year after year. Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton was the 20th safest community in the entire United States, during 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. The population has gone through the roof from a little over 5,000 people in the 1960’s to just over 85,000 according to the most recent census.
There were two major factors which led to the rapid growth of Canton. The first being the impact of cross-district busing, and the second being the construction of I-275. Canton's central location enables residents to use I-275 North/South freeway to travel anywhere in the Detroit metropolitan area within an hour. As a result, more and more people seeking new housing and close proximity to their work selected Canton as their home. In fact, at one time it was not unusual to see the construction of over 2,000 homes in a single year just to keep up with the demand for Canton Township, MI real estate. The past couple years there have been more foreclosures in Canton. Investors are starting to buy distressed bank owned homes for very reasonable prices as more homeowners go through the foreclosure process in Canton.
Canton is constantly attracting new business and new residents. In 2005, IKEA, the world’s largest furniture/accessory store, announced their exclusive Michigan location to be Canton. Immediately the commercial world noted this change in the landscape and viewed Canton as a regional retail center. Since the IKEA announcement, new retailers have located or planned to locate on Ford Road. The Canton real estate market appeals to a wide range of budgets, from starter homes to million dollar homes.
Location of Canton Township
Canton Township, a 36 square mile town, is bounded by Hannan Road on the east, Joy Road on the north, Napier Road on the west, and Van Born on the south. The four creeks which flow through Canton and drain into the Rouge River are: Fowler, Fellows, Tonquish, and Willow Creeks. Canton is approximately 20 miles east of Ann Arbor and 35 miles west of Detroit. It has easy access to I-275 and is near I-96, which connects Detroit to Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Population of Canton
The 2005 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau put the population at 86,539. Canton is one of Michigan's fastest growing communities.
Average Residential Sales Price & Property Taxes in 2007
Prices for single-family homes for sale in Canton range from $130,000 to over $1,000,000. The average price for a single-family home sold in Canton was a little less than $270,000. Condos range in price from $90,000 to over $400,000, with the average sale price a little above $180,000.
Plymouth Canton Schools
$32.64 per $1,000 in Taxable Value
Van Buren Public Schools
$31.43 per $1,000 in Taxable Value
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
$35.00 per $1,000 in Taxable Value
Local Business in Canton Michigan
Major employers include Plymouth Canton School District, Meijers Thrifty Acres, Kmart Corporation, American Yazaki, Miesel Sysco Foods, and Charter Township of Canton.
History of Canton Township
The 1800 Harrison Act, passed by Congress, which allowed anyone to buy up to 320 acres of land for only $2 an acre on a payment plan, led to an influx of settlers to Canton. With the creation of the Board of Supervisors, on April 12, 1827, boundary lines were established for the townships of Detroit, Hamtramck, Springwells, Huron, Brownstown, Ecorse, Mongauagon, Bucklin, and Plymouth. On October 29, 1829, Nankin and Pekin were created out of current, Bucklin, which would later cease to exist. Eventually, Pekin became Dearborn, Plymouth and Redford Townships.
By the Act of Congress, March 7, 1834, Canton was proclaimed a separate township. Originally, choosing names derived from a Chinese city was common practice in order to discourage the duplication of an already existing post office name. While other cities eventually Americanized their names, for example: the Township of Redford, was originally referred to as Pekin, the legislature decided to keep at least two townships named for Chinese cities.
Canton then took the corn industry to Detroit to be sold in the renowned Farmers Market. Dairy was distributed throughout local cities and settlements, which in turn profited and developed their villages, branching out to larger communities, and eventually stretching out to Detroit. Many of these farms and dairies still exist and are run by descendants of the early settlers.
The historic villages of the past, such as Sheldon Corner’s (now called Sheldon), and Cherry Hill still exist today, but are now urban neighborhoods with architecture reminiscent of past styles and cultures of 100 years ago. The Village Theatre, Cherry Hill’s main attraction, is expanding and evolving into a “downtown” similar to other nearby historic towns, such as Plymouth and Northville.
Sheldon Corners (Michigan and Sheldon roads), was developed in 1825 next to the Sauk Trail (Michigan Avenue). The center hosted a small village made up of a number of homes, a post office, a general store, blacksmith, church and school. Today Sheldon Corners is but a remnant of its past, falling to the widening of Michigan Avenue. A few of the historic structures remain, including The Inn, the school and a few homes. Canton owns the completely restored Sheldon School built in 1870. Sheldon Corners is listed as a Michigan State historic site.
Cherry Hill Village, first known as “The Ridge", was established at approximately the same time as Sheldon Corners. It was home to Canton’s first church, the United Methodist Church. Following the construction of the Cherry Hill House (Ridge and Cherry Hill) the area became known as Cherry Hill. The Village architecture changed little since the early 1800’s until it was reestablished as the new Cherry Hill, including; hundreds of new homes, apartments, condos and commercial buildings. Cherry Hill is also home to the Village Theater at Cherry Hill Village, and both the church and school are Michigan State historic sites.
From 1925 to 1970 Canton became known as the "Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan", and d ue to Canton’s central location it also became a dairy farming center. Locally produced milk was processed at Canton creameries and then transported to larger near-by communities.
Canton’s first government office (township hall) was constructed in 1874 at the corner of Canton Center and Cherry Hill. It cost $700 to construct and had a capacity of 400.
Plymouth Canton Schools
Plymouth-Canton Community operates 26 schools and educational buildings. Canton Township students go to one of three district schools, including the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, the Wayne-Westland Schools (Walker-Winter Elementary) and Van Buren Schools. Plymouth Canton Schools includes most of Canton Township, city of Plymouth, Plymouth Township, and portions of Salem, Superior, and Northville Townships.
Canton has a wide variety of private schools, including All Saints Catholic School, Plymouth Christian Academy, Agape Christian Academy, and Plymouth Canton Montessori.
Shopping & Recreation in Canton
Canton has no shortage of special events and local entertainment provided throughout the year. Liberty Fest continues to be Canton's most popular annual festival and is joined by Octoberfest, the summer concert series in Heritage Park, the annual Fishing Derby, Marshmallow Drop and other events for all ages. Golf lovers will enjoy the two local golf courses: the 27 hole - Fellows Creek Golf Course, and the 18 hole - Pheasant Run Golf Course.
If there is anything that Canton residents are proud to have in the township, it is the Summit on the Park. This $16 million complex sprawling over 95,000 square feet, includes its own full-service fitness center, aquatics area, gymnasium, indoor running track, racquetball courts, and dance studios. The summit is located in the heart of the community in the beautiful 105-acre Heritage Park. Its creative design is topped by a 75-foot high glass tower and massive copper and glass landmark. The structure is recognized throughout southeastern Michigan area for its unique recreational programs and services as well as its high quality full-service banquet facilities.
Golf Courses in Canton
Canton is home to two top-notch golf courses. Pheasant Run Golf Club is a beautiful 27-hole course with wide fairways lined by young trees. The challenging layout covers more than 300 acres of rolling terrain, and features three nines, which can be played either as eighteen holes or as nine holes.
Fellows Creek Golf Club boasts 27 holes over three unique nine-hole courses, which are played in three eighteen-hole combinations. The East Course has water hazards and the West Course is known for its dense tree-lined fairways.
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