Housing in and around Canon consists largely of older single-family homes on modest in-town lots, together with manufactured homes and rural acreage on the surrounding county roads. The stock reflects the area's agricultural past, with a mix of mid-century houses and more recent construction on larger parcels. Buyers drawn to the area typically seek lower-density living, space for gardens or small livestock, and proximity to Lake Hartwell rather than subdivision amenities. Vacant land and lightly improved lots remain part of the local market, giving the community a spread-out, unhurried feel.

Daily life in Canon moves at a small-town pace. The community functions as a quiet residential base for Franklin County, with residents relying on nearby Royston, Lavonia, and Carnesville for groceries, dining, and services. Lake Hartwell anchors much of the area's leisure culture, drawing boaters, anglers, and families to its public access points and coves. Community life centers on schools, churches, and seasonal events, and the region's Piedmont countryside offers an understated, rural quality of life that appeals to retirees, families, and those commuting to larger towns along I-85.

Public school students in Canon attend the Franklin County School District, which is headquartered in nearby Carnesville and serves the communities of Canon, Carnesville, Franklin Springs, Gumlog, Lavonia, Martin, and Royston. The district operates elementary, middle, and high school campuses across the county, giving families a single K-12 pathway within a short drive of town. A small portion of Canon lying in Hart County falls within Hart County's school system, so school assignment can vary by address.

Canon sits within convenient reach of Interstate 85, the major highway linking Atlanta, Greenville, and Charlotte through northeast Georgia. State and county roads connect the town to Royston, Lavonia, Carnesville, and Hartwell, all within a short drive. The corridor supports commuting to regional employment centers and provides straightforward access to Greenville–Spartanburg and the Athens area. For local travel, Canon relies on two-lane state routes through the surrounding farm country, with lake access roads branching toward the Hartwell shoreline.

Lake Hartwell is the defining recreational asset near Canon. The reservoir spans the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca rivers along the Georgia–South Carolina line, offering boating, fishing, swimming, and shoreline camping through a network of state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks and boat ramps. The Tugaloo River and its tributaries provide additional fishing and paddling within the Franklin County landscape. Beyond the water, the rolling Piedmont countryside offers rural roads for cycling and driving, while regional parks and the attractions of the wider upper Savannah River basin are a short trip away.