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 .

It was founded in 1805 on the West and Middle Branches of the Nimishillen Creek, and became a manufacturing center owing to its location with numerous railroad lines. After the decline of heavy manufacturing, the city's industry has since diversified into service economy, including retailing, education, financial, and healthcare sectors. The population was 80,806 at the 2000 census, but according to a 2006 census estimate, the population has declined to 78,924. Despite this decline, the 2004 figure actually had moved Canton up from 9th to 8th place among Ohio cities, as Youngstown, once considerably more populous than Canton, had suffered a larger decline. According to the US Census 2006 estimate, the Canton-Massillon, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area has a total population of 409,764 residents.

Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the McKinley National Memorial, the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, and the First Ladies National Historic Site.