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CITY · 2020 ACS

Topeka

Kansas · 126,587 residents · 61.661 sq mi
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The short version

Topeka has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,647. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $105,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
126,587
+3%since 2000
from 122,377 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,053 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,985 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+6%since 2000
from 36.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
119K121K124K126K128K1990201020202024Topeka
2024126K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,647
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,928 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,420
+45%since 2000
from $19,555 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.9%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.3%
US avg: 10%
Information10.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$105,700
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$815
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $486 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.7% in 2000
45.2% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+16%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic64.2%(81,243)
Black9.9%(12,574)
Hispanic / Latino16.4%(20,749)
Asian1.6%(2,043)
Other5.7%(7,191)
Diversity Score65.9%(83,435)
Diversity Score
66
+42%since 2000
from 46 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 25.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.3%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.0 min
+58%since 2000
from 10.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 66.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.5%
−27.6 ptssince 2009
from 64.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
52.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.8%
−75.2 ptssince 2013
from 84.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+31%
Home value$292,700+177%
Population96,367−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Ottawa
Income$71,699+44%
Home value$166,500+58%
Population12,716−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Basehor
Income$116,769+135%
Home value$349,900+231%
Population8,249−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Gardner
Income$96,818+95%
Home value$306,200+190%
Population26,154−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Topeka, Kansas?

Topeka, Kansas has about 126,587 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Topeka, Kansas?

The typical household in Topeka, Kansas earns about $49,647 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 $105,700, and the typical rent is about $815 a month.

How educated are people in Topeka, Kansas?

About 28.5% 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 13.9% 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 6,704 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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

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