CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Topeka

Kansas · 119,883 residents · 61.661 sq mi

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The short version

Topeka has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,774. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $48,800.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 33.6

US median: 33.0

Average education

22% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

119,883

−2%vs 2000

vs 122,377 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

1,944 / sq mi

−2%vs 2000

vs 1,985 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

33.6

−7%vs 2000

vs 36.3 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024126K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$26,774

−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $35,928 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$13,680

−30%vs 2000

vs $19,555 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

12.3%

−0.2 ptsvs 2000

vs 12.4% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$48,800

−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $65,700 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$380

+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $486 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

60.8%

+0.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 60.7% in 2000

39.2% rent

Afford Score

1.8

Unchangedvs 2000

vs 1.8 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Topeka on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic75.1%(91,869)

Black11.4%(13,941)

Hispanic / Latino8.9%(10,847)

Asian1.1%(1,300)

Other0%

Diversity Score46.4%(56,733)

1990

White, non-Hispanic84.9%(101,781)

Black10.6%(12,675)

Hispanic / Latino5.5%(6,539)

Asian0.9%(1,046)

Other3.7%(4,381)

Diversity Score42.2%(50,626)

Diversity Score

−9%vs 2000

vs 46 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

22.1%

−3.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 25.3% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

82.7%

−3.2 ptsvs 2000

vs 85.9% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

7.5%

−1.2 ptsvs 2000

vs 8.8% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

14.3 min

+33%vs 2000

vs 10.8 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Topeka

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TOPEKA VS

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Topeka, Kansas?

Topeka, Kansas has about 119,883 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Topeka, Kansas?

The typical household in Topeka, Kansas earns about $26,774 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Topeka, Kansas expensive?

In Topeka, Kansas, the median home is worth about $48,800, and the typical rent is about $380 a month.

How educated are people in Topeka, Kansas?

About 22.1% of adults age 25 and over in Topeka, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Topeka, Kansas?

About 12.3% of people in Topeka, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →