As of the census of 2000, there were 2,084 people, 771 households, and 591 families residing in the township. The population density was 56.5 people per square mile. There were 858 housing units at an average density of 23.3/sq mi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.37% White, 0.53% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population. There were 771 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.00. In the township the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males. The median income for a household in the township was $34,130, and the median income for a family was $36,780. Males had a median income of $27,826 versus $19,970 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,013. About 10.0% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Residents of Canton Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Canton Area School District which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. The District's enrollment declined to 990 students kindergarten through 12th grade, in 2013. Canton Area School District ranked 416th out of 500 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils in 2013. High School students and adults can attend the publicly funded Northern Tier Career Center for vocational training. Canton Township residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 14 public cyber charter schools at no additional cost to the parents. The resident’s public school district is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools. By Commonwealth law, if the District provides transportation for its own students, then the District must provide transportation to any school that lies within 10 miles of its borders. Residents may also seek admission for their school aged child to any other public school district. When accepted for admission, the student's parents are responsible for paying an annual tuition fee set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2012, the tuition fees for Canton Area School District were: Elementary School - $8,868.09, High School - $9,442.14. BLaST Intermediate Unit #17 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Canton Township. Early screening, special educations services, speech and hearing therapy and many other services like driver education are available. Services for children during the preschool years are provided without cost to their families when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements.
Politics and government
Canton Township is governed by three, locally elected Township Supervisors. ;County level: Three, elected at large, County Commissioners. ;State level:
