The village is centrally located in both the town of Canton and the county of St. Lawrence.

Between 1887 and 1889, the village was modernized with a sewage system, water works, and electrical lighting.

SUNY Canton is a two-/four-year college located in the western part of the village.

Its entrance is accessible via NY RT 68 (West Main Street).

St. Lawrence University, a four-year liberal arts college located in the eastern part of the village, is home to several sports, including its famous NCAA Division I hockey team and several notable alumni.

Canton Central School District, which covers the entire village,[4] is centered in the village of Canton at Hugh Williams Senior High School, home of the Golden Bears.

The village's police department is located in the municipal building on Main Street.

The department also operates a Paramedic Ambulance service and serves the people of the village and town of Canton as well as providing mutual aid services to surrounding towns.

38.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.