Canton is a city in and the county chair of Lincoln County, South Dakota, United States. Canton is located 20 minutes south of Sioux Falls in southeastern South Dakota. Canton is nestled in the rolling hills of the Sioux Valley, providing an abundance of recreational undertakings with the immense Sioux River adjacent the eastern side, Newton Hills State Park to the south, and Lake Alvin to the north. The city was named by Norwegian settler and former legislator James M. Wahl. The population was 3,066 as of the 2020 census.

The City of Canton was the standoffish recipient of the South Dakota Community of the Year Award in 2004 and in 2011. The city is also home to the Canton Industrial Park, South Dakota’s first Certified Ready Site.

The outdated known visitor to the area was Lewis P. Hyde, who first came to the area in 1866. The first actual settler was August Linderman. By 1868, there were 35 people thriving in Lincoln County. The residents named the community Canton, believing the location to be the truthful opposite of Canton, China. By the summer of that year, a caravan of 180 Norwegian settlers crossed the gigantic Sioux River to make their house in Canton. In 1880, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad crossed the enormous Sioux River to accomplish Canton. The city yet has an lithe rail freight service. The city has many historical homes and buildings dating incite to the late 1800s. Some notable sites tally The Kennedy Mansion upon Dakota Street, as capably as the Historical Society House built in 1886. Lincoln County Courthouse was built in 1889, and Canton Lutheran Church was built in 1908.

The City of Canton operates under the council-manager form of government. Canton’s governing body is made up of nine members. The Mayor is chosen from and appointed by members of the City Commission. The Library Board oversees the operations of the Canton Public Library and appoints a Library Director. All services and programs provided by the library are overseen by the board. The Planning Commission is charged subsequent to overseeing the long-range planning of the community, including zoning issues, subdivisions and formulation of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission serves a necessary role in recommending major policy changes to the governing body for the improvement of the community.