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METRO AREA · 2010 ACS

Topeka Metro

Topeka, KS · 5 counties · 233,870 residents · 3,232.713 sq mi
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The short version

Topeka has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $48,701. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $115,184.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 37.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
233,870
+4%since 2000
from 224,551 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
72 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 69 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
39.1
+4%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
208K215K222K229K237K1990201020202024Topeka
2024232K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,701
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,125 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,268
+24%since 2000
from $20,312 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
28.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
13.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.421
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information11.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services7.6%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$115,184
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,258 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$634
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $477 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
46.7%
−24.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.0% in 2000
30.7% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
21.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 21.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.4
+23%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Topeka on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.5%(187,516)
Black6.7%(15,110)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(13,138)
Asian0.7%(1,662)
Other0%
Diversity Score31%(69,517)
2010
White, non-Hispanic79.7%(186,502)
Black6.3%(14,839)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(20,615)
Asian0.9%(2,179)
Other3.7%(8,538)
Diversity Score43%(100,607)
Diversity Score
43
+39%since 2000
from 31 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 23.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 88.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+51%since 2000
from 13.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
34.5%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.9%
−35.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
In this metro

Principal cities

TopekaCENTRAL125,795
What's inside

5 component counties

Shawnee CountyCENTRAL178,607Jefferson County18,296Osage County15,693Jackson County13,438Wabaunsee County7,018
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Topeka

Athens
Pop 224,148
Panama City
Pop 231,174
Punta Gorda
Pop 217,212
Prescott Valley
Pop 252,552
Places similar to Topeka
Head to head

Compare Topeka side by side

TOPEKA VS
Athens
Income$69,695+43%
Home value$314,999+173%
Population224,148−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Panama City
Income$71,687+47%
Home value$293,695+155%
Population231,174−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Punta Gorda
Income$69,952+44%
Home value$328,900+186%
Population217,212−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPEKA VS
Prescott Valley
Income$69,613+43%
Home value$425,200+269%
Population252,552+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Topeka, KS?

Topeka, KS has about 233,870 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Topeka, KS?

The typical household in Topeka, KS earns about $48,701 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Topeka, KS expensive?

In Topeka, KS, the median home is worth about $115,184, and the typical rent is about $634 a month.

How educated are people in Topeka, KS?

About 26.9% of adults age 25 and over in Topeka, KS hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Topeka, KS?

About 13.5% of people in Topeka, KS live below the federal poverty line.

Has Topeka, KS grown since 1990?

Yes, Topeka, KS has grown since 1990. The population has added about 23,613 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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