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Neighborhood report

Topeka, KS

Founded 1854Shawnee CountyElev. 288 m
Population
126,103
Median home
$130,600
Disaster risk
Relatively Moderate
Public schools
43
Sex offenders
16

Overview

About Topeka

Topeka is a city in Kansas with about 126,103 residents. Topeka was founded in 1854 and sits in Shawnee County. The median age is 38.2 and the median household income is $55,902. Homes carry a median value of $130,600, and about 59% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (65.6%). Around 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 17 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

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Who lives here

Demographics

Population
126,103
Median age
38.2
Median household income
$55,902
Per-capita income
$33,290
Poverty rate
15.6%
High-school grad or higher
91.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
29.1%
Unemployment
4.9%
Avg. commute
16.7 min
Work from home
9.6%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White65.6%
Hispanic or Latino16.9%
Black9.3%
Asian1.7%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts36.7%
Sales & office20.3%
Service19.1%
Production, transportation & material moving15.5%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance8.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$130,600
Median gross rent
$947/mo
Owner-occupied
59.2%
Median year built
1967
Households
54,303
Avg. household size
2.23

Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.

Education

Schools

Schools: Below average

Topeka has 43 public schools — 25 elementary, 8 middle, 8 high.

Student proficiency · grade 8, 10 schools
Reading21%
Math22%

% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.

Capital CityHighGrades 7–12
Highland Park HighHighGrades 9–12
Hope Street Charter AcademyHighGrades 9–12charter
Lawrence Gardner High SchoolHighGrades 7–12
Seaman HighHighGrades 9–12
Topeka HighHighGrades 9–12
Topeka West HighHighGrades 9–12
Washburn Rural HighHighGrades 9–12
Chase Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Eisenhower Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Jardine Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Landon Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Marjorie French Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Robinson Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8

Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.

Safety

Crime

violent crime150% above national
Topeka966
Kansas436
United States386
↑ 36% higher than 2019
2019–2023
property crime110% above national
Topeka4,095
Kansas2,084
United States1,952
↓ 18% lower than 2019
2019–2023

Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Topeka Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Topeka.

Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.

Risk

Natural disaster risk

Relatively Moderate
Top hazards · Shawnee County
Ice stormVery High
Winter weatherVery High
LightningRelatively High
TornadoRelatively High
Cold waveRelatively Moderate
HailRelatively Moderate

County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.

Context

Neighborhood info

Topeka is in Shawnee County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.

Topeka was founded in 1854 and sits in Shawnee County. Elevation ~288 m.

Map of Topeka
Topeka, KS
Where Topeka is
WichitaOverland ParkKansasOlatheTopekaLawrence
Historic places

82 on the National Register of Historic Places, incl. 2 National Historic Landmarks.

Sumner Elementary School and Monroe Elementary SchoolSumner Elementary School and Monroe Elementary SchoolLuttjohann, Fred and Cora, HouseEast Topeka Junior High SchoolSt. John's Lutheran SchoolCentral Motor and Finance Corporation BuildingCentral National BankColumbian Building
Notable people from Topeka
Annette BeningCharles CurtisGwendolyn BrooksGregg BinkleyPat RobertsLois SmithKatrina LeskanichRuth PatrickNancy KassebaumBrandon Quintin Adams
People searches in Topeka
Michael Smith (19)John Smith (17)James Smith (16)David Smith (15)Robert Smith (15)Michael Johnson (15)John Johnson (14)James Johnson (13)Michael Williams (13)William Smith (12)David Johnson (12)Robert Johnson (12)John Williams (11)Michael Brown (11)Michael Jones (11)James Williams (11)David Williams (10)John BrownRobert WilliamsJohn JonesWilliam JohnsonMary SmithJames BrownJames Jones
Nearby cities
Lawrence (24 mi)Ottawa (38 mi)Basehor (42 mi)Gardner (44 mi)Lansing (45 mi)Leavenworth (46 mi)

Registered sex offenders in Topeka, KS (16)

Public sex-offender registry records for Topeka, Kansas.

Maria Elena Trillo, 43
Topeka · Sn County · 66607
AKA Maria Elena Lopez, Maria E Villegas
Ryan Joseph Wilson, 21
Topeka · Sn County · 66618
Edward Javon Brown, 38
Topeka · Sn County · 66611
AKA Eddie Brown, Edward Javon Anthony Brown
Andrew Marciano Rivera, 68
Topeka · Sn County · 66607
AKA Anda Keith, Andra Keith
Joshua David Carter, 21
Topeka · Sn County · 66607
AKA Joshua Daivd Carter, Joshua David Carter
Charles Dale White, 49ABSCONDER
Topeka · Sn County · 66608
AKA Charly, John M Larkin
Charles Eugene Thomas, 42
Topeka · Sn County · 66615
Joseph Michael Thompson, 43
Topeka · Sn County · 66604
AKA Joey Thompson
Donald Glenn Carter, 73
Topeka · Sn County · 66608
AKA Donald G Carter, Donald Glenn Innes
Matthew Lee Thomas, 52
Topeka · Sn County · 66605
AKA Thomas Matthew, Matt Thomas
Matthew Raymond Johnson, 56
Topeka · Sn County · 66604
Steven Bendio Johnson, 50
Topeka · 66607
AKA Skee, Skee Bo
Steven Bendio Johnson, 50
Topeka · Sn County · 66609
AKA Steven B Jackson, Steve Bendio Johnson
Jason Eugene Walker, 41
Topeka · Sn County · 66617
AKA Jason Edward Walker, Jason Eugene Walker
Jason Mikeal Harris, 52
Topeka · Sn County · 66611
AKA Alex Harris, Jason Michael Harris
Jason Daniel Thompson, 34
Topeka · Sn County · 66604

Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.

Common questions

Topeka — frequently asked

What is the population of Topeka, Kansas?
Topeka has a population of about 126,103, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Topeka?
The median home value in Topeka is $130,600, and the median gross rent is $947/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Topeka safe? What is the crime rate?
Topeka Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 966 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — higher than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Topeka face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Shawnee County as "Relatively Moderate" overall, with top hazards including ice storm, winter weather, lightning.
How many schools are in Topeka?
Topeka has 43 public schools (25 elementary, 8 middle, 8 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Topeka?
Public registry data lists 16 registered sex offenders in or near Topeka. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
Look up a person in Topeka →