Canton (/ˈkæntən/) is a city in Stark County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the eighth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 70,872 at the 2020 census. The Canton–Massillon metropolitan area has an estimated 400,000 residents. Canton is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) south of Cleveland and 20 miles (32 km) south of Akron in Northeast Ohio, on the edge of Ohio's Amish Country.

Founded in 1805 alongside Nimishillen Creek, Canton became a center of heavy industry because of its numerous railroad lines. As shifts in the manufacturing industry led to the relocation or downsizing of many factories and workers during the late 20th century, the city's industry diversified into the service economy, including retailing, education, finance and healthcare.

Canton is best known as the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the birthplace of the National Football League. 25th U.S. president William McKinley conducted his famous front porch campaign from his home in Canton, winning the presidency in the 1896 election. The McKinley National Memorial and William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum commemorate his life and presidency. Canton was also selected as the site of the First Ladies National Historic Site largely in honor of his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley.

Canton was founded in 1805. Its plat was recorded at New Lisbon, Ohio, on November 15, 1805, by surveyor Bezaleel Wells, who later served in the Ohio Senate.

Canton was likely named as a memorial to Captain John O'Donnell, an Irish merchant marine with the British East India Company whom Wells admired. O'Donnell named his estate in Maryland after the Chinese port city of Guangzhou, formerly romanized as Canton. O'Donnell was the first person to transport goods from Guangzhou to Baltimore. The name selected by Wells may also have been influenced by the Huguenot use of the word "canton", which meant a division of a district containing several communes.

Through Wells' efforts and promotion, Canton was designated the county seat of Stark County upon its division from Columbiana County on January 1, 1809. Canton was incorporated as a village in 1822 and reincorporated as a city in 1838. Wells donated his personal holdings in the city to Canton; these holdings would become the Christ United Presbyterian Church, Timken Vocational High School and McKinley Park (originally a cemetery).

For most of his adult life, Canton was the home of William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States. Born in Niles, Ohio, McKinley first practiced law in Canton around 1867 and was prosecuting attorney of Stark County from 1869 to 1871. The city was his home during his successful campaign for Ohio governor, the site of his front-porch presidential campaign of 1896 and the campaign of 1900. Canton is now the site of the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum and the McKinley National Memorial, dedicated in 1907.

President McKinley's impact on Canton as his adopted home is still reflected today in many different ways, and he remains the namesake of McKinley Senior High School of the Canton City School System.