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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Topeka

Kansas · 122,377 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 $35,928. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $65,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.3
US median: 35.2
Average education
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
122,377
+2%since 1990
from 119,883 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,985 / sq mi
+2%since 1990
from 1,944 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.3
+8%since 1990
from 33.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
119K121K124K126K128K1990201020202024Topeka
2024126K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,928
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $26,774 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,555
+43%since 1990
from $13,680 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
12.4%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 12.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$65,700
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $48,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$486
−3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $380 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
60.7%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 60.8% in 1990
39.3% rent
Afford Score
1.8
Unchangedsince 1990
from 1.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Topeka on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(101,781)
Black10.6%(12,675)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(6,539)
Asian0.9%(1,046)
Diversity Score42.2%(50,626)
2000
White, non-Hispanic75.1%(91,869)
Black11.4%(13,941)
Hispanic / Latino8.9%(10,847)
Asian1.1%(1,300)
Diversity Score46.4%(56,733)
Diversity Score
46
+10%since 1990
from 42 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.3%
+3.1 ptssince 1990
from 22.1% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
85.9%
+3.2 ptssince 1990
from 82.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 7.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.8 min
−25%since 1990
from 14.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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

Athens
Pop 128,612
Savannah
Pop 149,440
Lafayette
Pop 123,311
Evansville
Pop 116,176
Places similar to Topeka
Head to head

Compare Topeka to nearby cities

TOPEKA VS
Lawrence
Income$65,009+81%
Home value$292,700+346%
Population96,367−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Ottawa
Income$71,699+100%
Home value$166,500+153%
Population12,716−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Basehor
Income$116,769+225%
Home value$349,900+433%
Population8,249−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Gardner
Income$96,818+169%
Home value$306,200+366%
Population26,154−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Topeka, Kansas?

Topeka, Kansas has about 122,377 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Topeka, Kansas?

The typical household in Topeka, Kansas earns about $35,928 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 $65,700, and the typical rent is about $486 a month.

How educated are people in Topeka, Kansas?

About 25.3% 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 12.4% of people in Topeka, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Topeka, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Topeka, Kansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,494 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Topeka, Kansas (2000): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy