Canton is nestled in the rolling hills of the Sioux Valley, providing an abundance of recreational activities with the Big Sioux River bordering the eastern side, Newton Hills State Park to the south, and Lake Alvin to the north.

[7] The City of Canton was the proud 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.

[8] By the summer of that year, a caravan of 180 Norwegian settlers crossed the Big Sioux River to make their home in Canton.

In 1880, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad crossed the Big Sioux River to reach Canton.

Some notable sites include The Kennedy Mansion on Dakota Street, as well as the Historical Society House built in 1886.

The Planning Commission serves a vital role in recommending major policy changes to the governing body for the development of the community.

[12][13] Snowfall occurs mostly in light to moderate amounts during the winter, totaling 36.1 inches (92 cm).

[12] Canton is part of the Sioux Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area that consists of four counties, all of which are located in South Dakota: Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner.

[16] In addition to Canton, several cities and towns included in the metropolitan area are Sioux Falls, Brandon, Dell Rapids, Tea, Harrisburg, Worthing, Beresford, Lennox, Hartford, Crooks, Baltic, Montrose, Salem, Renner, Chancellor, Colton, Humboldt, Parker, Hurley, Garretson, Sherman, Corson, and Centerville.

The Big Sioux River Folk Festival in August attracts approximately 5,000 each year.

The winter event hosted by the Canton Chamber of Commerce is the annual Christmas Parade and Visit with Santa in December.

The new synod considered it inadvisable to maintain Augustana College and Lutheran Normal School in Sioux Falls, barely 25 miles apart.

But, the advantages of locating the school in a larger community prevailed, and Canton lost their college.

An agreement was proposed and accepted that Canton would put up an endowment of $200,000 and turn it over to Augustana College.

A fund drive was successful and the Canton Lutheran Normal School opened in the fall of 1920.

This exhibition began the quest to clear the hill at the Thorson farm located on the Iowa side of the Sioux River east of Canton.

In 1923 the first meet sponsored by the Sioux Valley Ski Club was held at a new location several hundred yards east of the original hill.

The winner of the "A" Division was awarded The Sioux Valley loving cup, a silver traveling trophy.

In 1932 the U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping trials were held at the hill with Casper Oimoen winning the "A" Division.

Winds changed and brought bitter temperatures causing the slush to turn to ice so the tournament had to be cancelled.

15,000–20,000 people attended and out of town spectators stayed in Canton or Sioux Falls, SD hotels and in Pullman cars brought in by the railroad.

Poor attendance in 1936, cost increases and uncooperative weather prompted the club to fold the following year.

It was placed in Canton because of the central location among the Western states with a large Indian populations and because of the influence of South Dakota's Representative O.S.

One hundred acres were purchased a mile east of Canton on the hills overlooking the Sioux River.