City · Kansas
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, city, in Shawnee County, Kansas. Topeka had 125,795 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 126,587 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 125,786 (±71). GEOID 2071000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
125,795
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 126,587 · ACS 2020-2024: 125,786 ±71
Median household income
$56,956
±$1,954 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$144,200
±$6,002 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$979
±$32 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
Where is Topeka and what county is it in?
Topeka is a city in Shawnee County, Kansas. It covers 61.9 square miles of land, 2,045 residents per square mile in 2020.
Topeka is in the Topeka, KS metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Topeka, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 125,795 people lived in Topeka on July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020 Census counted 126,587 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 125,786 (±71).
| Measure | Topeka | Shawnee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 125,786 ±71 | 178,025 | −611 |
| Households | 54,837 ±717 | 75,458 | +1,080 |
| Average household size | 2.21 ±0.03 | 2.29 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 59,868 ±487 | 81,075 | no clear change |
Topeka's population since 2000
From 122,377 in 2000 to 125,795 in 2025: up 2.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Topeka as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Topeka?
The median resident of Topeka is 38.0 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 18.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 16.9%. 5.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Topeka | Shawnee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 ±0.5 | 39.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4% ±0.5 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.4% ±0.5 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±0.4 pts | 48.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.9% ±0.6 pts | 13.8% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.1% ±1.0 pts | 71.0% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.5% ±0.7 pts | 6.6% | −1.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.2 pts | 1.3% | −0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.9% ±0.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.1% ±0.6 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.1% ±0.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7% ±0.7 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 17.3% ±1.0 pts | 15.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.2% ±0.9 pts | 8.6% | +1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7% ±0.7 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.0% ±1.2 pts | 32.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.8% ±0.8 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.7% ±1.1 pts | 87.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0% ±0.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Topeka earn?
Half of Topeka's 54,837 households earn less than $56,956 a year (±$1,954), against $67,104 in Shawnee County and $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $59,072 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Topeka | Shawnee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,956 ±$1,954 | $67,104 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,496 ±$2,097 | $88,163 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,089 ±$854 | $37,908 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.7% ±1.1 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.6% ±2.4 pts | 15.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.1% ±1.2 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.2% ±1.0 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.1% ±1.2 pts | 89.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Topeka?
Owners occupy 59.0% of Topeka's occupied homes and renters 41.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $144,200 by its owner (±$6,002). The median renter pays $979 a month including utilities, and 36.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Topeka | Shawnee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $144,200 ±$6,002 | $180,900 | +$17,192 |
| Median gross rent | $979 ±$32 | $1,000 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.5% ±2.9 pts | 36.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,291 ±$35 | $1,474 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 59.0% ±1.6 pts | 66.8% | +2.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.0% ±1.6 pts | 33.2% | – |
| Housing units | 59,868 ±487 | 81,075 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.4% ±1.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.9% ±1.4 pts | 71.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.6% ±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.2% ±1.2 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.3% ±1.0 pts | 7.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Topeka building?
Builders took permits for 358 new housing units in Topeka in 2025 (64 in single-family houses), 2.8 per 1,000 residents against 3.5 across Kansas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Topeka work and get to work?
75.5% of Topeka's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Topeka | Shawnee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.0% ±1.1 pts | 61.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% ±0.8 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.5% ±1.5 pts | 77.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1% ±1.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.9% ±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9% ±1.1 pts | 11.2% | +8.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.7 min ±0.6 | 17.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Topeka?
35 census tracts lie mostly in Topeka, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $28,552 (Tract 40) to $117,105 (Tract 36.07).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 26.02Shawnee County | 6,273 | $63,617 |
| Tract 31Shawnee County | 6,963 | $41,447 |
| Tract 37.01Shawnee County | 5,341 | $84,591 |
| Tract 36.06Shawnee County | 5,055 | $83,292 |
| Tract 4Shawnee County | 4,690 | $32,839 |
| Tract 13Shawnee County | 4,157 | $49,438 |
| Tract 18Shawnee County | 4,090 | $92,822 |
| Tract 27.01Shawnee County | 4,023 | $62,098 |
| Tract 28Shawnee County | 3,974 | $41,771 |
| Tract 16.03Shawnee County | 3,933 | $60,829 |
| Tract 26.01Shawnee County | 3,813 | $65,000 |
| Tract 16.04Shawnee County | 3,754 | $81,863 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Topeka) · Census block assignment files
How does Topeka compare with other places in Kansas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Topeka is the 232nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 625 in Kansas.
Topeka ranks 289th of 374 places in Kansas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 625 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 198th | 373 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th | 376 |
| Median household income | 289th | 374 |
| Per capita income | 228th | 375 |
| Median home value | 231st | 370 |
| Median gross rent | 114th | 333 |
| Poverty rate | 59th | 266 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 156th | 374 |
| Median age | 240th | 376 |
| Owner-occupied share | 336th | 374 |
| Work from home | 87th | 233 |
| Travel time to work | 277th | 375 |
Topeka's figures with every place in Kansas (CSV)
Every place in Kansas, sortable · Compare Topeka with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Topeka?
1 of the 57 figures for Topeka on this page carries a coefficient of variation over 40% and is marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Topeka are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Topeka.