Discover Topeka, KS: Scores, Rankings, and Comparisons

The Kansas State Capitol is located in Topeka and was built in 1866–1903

Megan Burns on Unsplash

Downtown Topeka skyline at night, seen from theKansas River

Weatherguy48 on Wikimedia

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Topeka is centrist with a conservative slant and has a Democratic representative in Congress

126,877

Topeka Population7

40,608

Median Income6

5.2

Unemployment Rate17

Air Quality

97
- Unhealthy air quality
  
  0 days per year
- Unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups
  
  0 days per year
- High PM2.5 pollution14
  
  54 days per year
- High ozone14
  
  58 days per year
Home Pricing

73
- Median home value5
  
  $125,948
- Median home value (sq ft)11
  
  $75
- Median rent price12
  
  $625
Taxes

64
- City income tax
  
  0.0 % (for median earners)
- City income tax
  
  0.0 % (for high earners)
- State income tax16
  
  3.7 % (for median earners)
- State income tax16
  
  4.8 % (for high earners)
- City sales tax19
  
  2.7 %
- State sales tax19
  
  6.5 %
- Property tax21
  
  1.4 %
- Vehicle tax21
  
  2.0 %
Climate

53
- Sunny days3
  
  61 days
- Rainy days10
  
  97 days
- Hot days10
  
  47 days
- Cold days10
  
  119 days
- Average humidity10
  
  70 %
- Average wind speed10
  
  8 mph
- Annual snowfall10
  
  19 inches
- Temperature in January10
  
  30 °F
- Temperature in July10
  
  79 °F
- Wildfire risk23
  
  Low
- Hurricane risk23
  
  None
- Tornado risk23
  
  High
- Earthquake risk23
  
  Low
- Flood risk23
  
  High
Diversity

52
- White or Middle Eastern7
  
  78.5 %
- Black7
  
  10.6 %
- Asian7
  
  1.7 %
- Hispanic7
  
  15.0 %
Internet Connectivity

47
- Access to 25+ mbps wired broadband24
  
  88.3 %
- Access to 100+ mbps broadband24
  
  82.6 %
- Average download speed24
  
  72 mpbs
- Households with broadband25
  
  69.2 %
Economy

45
- Income6
  
  $31,013
- Income (full-time)6
  
  $40,608
- Income ($100,000 or more)6
  
  5.9 %
- Income ($25,000 and less)6
  
  13.5 %
- Income growth (1-year)6
  
  35.2 %
- Income growth (10-year)6
  
  11.3 %
- Employment rate17
  
  94.8 %
- Employment rate (full-time)6
  
  42.6 %
- Employment rate growth (1-year)17
  
  0.2 %
- Employment rate growth (10-year)17
  
  -1.0 %
- Population growth (1-year)7
  
  -0.2 %
- Population growth (10-year)7
  
  0.6 %
Local Transportation

40
- Walkability score9
  
  36
- Bikeability score9
  
  56
- Transit score9
  
  24
- Commute via public transit17
  
  1.3 %
- Commute via walking17
  
  2.2 %
- Commutes via driving solo17
  
  81.3 %
- Commute time (avg)17
  
  16.8 minutes
Travel Connectivity

36
- Airports
  
  0
- Train stations
  
  2
Attractions

35
- Restaurants8
  
  383.2 per 100,000 residents
- Bars8
  
  36.1 per 100,000 households
- Performing arts centers8
  
  4.2 per 100,000 households
- Museums8
  
  6.9 per 100,000 households
- Music venues18
  
  11
- Historical sites
  
  1
- Golf courses20
  
  11
- Wineries
  
  0
- Casinos22
  
  3
Healthcare

34
- Hospitals (<50 miles)2
  
  10
- Hospital rating (avg)2
  
  3.71 / 5
- 5-star hospitals2
  
  1
- 5-star hospitals (%)2
  
  14.3 %
- 5-star hospital (nearest)
  
  38.1 miles from city center
Education

34
- Public schools rated 8+4
  
  2
- Public schools rated 8+ (%)4
  
  4.5 %
- High schools in top 25%13
  
  4
- High schools in top 25% (%)13
  
  14.3 %
- Top rated public high school13
  
  Marais Des Cygnes Valley High
- Top rated public high school (national rank)13
  
  2,644
Safety

28
- Property crimes1
  
  5,170.4 per 100,000 residents
- Violent crimes1
  
  603.7 per 100,000 residents
Outdoor Activities

23
- Beaches
  
  0
- Parks15
  
  15
- Ski resorts
  
  1

The population of Topeka that is 55 years and older grew by 16.1% since 2010, which is the city's fastest growing segment.

Age

36.9

Median Age7

0.6

Population Growth Since 20107

Proportion of Population by Age Group vs. United States average7

Topeka residents are mostly white and the city is slowly becoming less diverse as the white community has grown by 4.4% since 2010, while the Hispanic community, 2nd largest in the city, has grown by 16.8%

Race

76.1

Kansas Population, White7

61.1

United States population, White7

Population Distribution by Race/Ethnicity7

Topeka is at a low risk for natural disasters. The most common disasters are volcanoes, volcanoes, and volcanoes.

Weather

Chance of Rain10

Chance of Sunshine3

Average Temperature35

The average home value in Topeka increased by 11% since 2010 which is 32% lower than the national average and 16% lower than the state average

Rent

625

Monthly Average12

Renters36

Average Home Value5

Topeka is a high tax location with income tax near the national average, but sales tax 33% higher than the national average and property tax 27% higher than the national average.

Other

1.41

Property Tax21

9.15

Sales Tax19

2.01

Vehicle Tax21

Effective Income Tax Rate at Various Income Levels (Married, Filing Jointly)37

Topeka has a high employment rate of 95% which is 1% higher than the national average. The largest employers are Payless ShoeSource and Stormont Vail Health

Income

13.5

<$25,0006

5.9

$100,000+6

Distribution by Industry17

Topeka is centrist with a conservative slant and has a Democratic representative in Congress

2016 Presidential Election Results38

Representatives

Mayor27	Michelle De La Isla Democratic
House of Representative27	Steve Watkins Republican

The nearest 5-star hospital, Adventhealth Ottawa, is 38.1 miles from the center of Topeka, the nearest Veterans Affairs medical center, VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System - Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center, is 7.0 miles away, and the nearest top-rated hospital for cancer care, Stormont Vail Hospital, is 4.5 miles away

Medicare-Rated Hospitals (<50 Miles)2

Is Marijuana Legal?

Medical28	No
Decriminalized28	No

In Kansas, 42.3% of adults live in a household with at least one gun, which is a marginal decrease from 2000 when 46.9% of adults lived in households with guns

Gun Laws

Universal Background Checks29

Permit to Purchase Law29

Property Crimes and Violent Crimes per 100,000 Residents

#76	2020 Best Cities to Retire by Niche30
#26	2019 Best Cities for Healthcare by healthgrades31

1	2018 Offenses Known to Law Enforcement \| FBI
2	Medicare-certified hospitals \| Medicare.gov
3	Sunshine - Average Percent of Possible
4	School Rankings & Reviews for Public and Private Schools \| Great Schools
5	Zillow Housing Data
6	2018 Earnings in the Past 12 Months \| ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles \| United States Census
7	2018 Demographic And Housing Estimates \| ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles \| United States Census
8	2017 County Business Patterns \| United States Census
9	2020 City & Neighborhood Scores \| Walk Score
10	Comparative Climatic Data \| National Centers for Environmental Information
11	United States Home Prices & Home Values
12	Rent Research \| Zumper
13	Best High Schools in the US \| U.S. News & World Report's
14	AirData \| United States Environmental Protection Agency
15	Parks \| Yelp
16	State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2020 \| Tax Foundation
17	2018 Economic Characteristics \| ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles \| United States Census
18	Music Venues \| Yelp
19	2020 State and Local Sales Tax Rates \| Tax Foundation
20	Golf Courses \| Yelp
21	2020 Property and Vehicle Taxes by State \| WalletHub
22	Casinos \| Yelp
23	Natural Center for Disaster Preparedness \| Columbia University
24	Internet Service Providers: Availability & Coverage \| Broadband Now
25	2018 Social Characteristics \| ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles \| United States Census
26	Zippia, The Career Expert
27	Who represents me \| Ballotpedia
28	State Policy \| Marijuana Policy Project
29	State-Level Estimates of Household Firearm Ownership \| The RAND Corporation
30	2020 Best Cities to Retire \| Niche
31	National Health Index
32	2010 Demographic And Housing Estimates \| ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles \| United States Census
33	Elevations and Distances \| U.S. Geological Survey Publications Repository
34	Normal Precipitation, Inches
35	Normal Daily Minimum Temperature, °F
36	2018 Selected Housing Characteristics \| ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles \| United States Census
37	Federal Income Tax Calculator \| smartasset
38	2016 Presidential Election Results \| Politico

Topeka, KS

City Score

Air Quality

Home Pricing

Taxes

Climate

Diversity

Internet Connectivity

Economy

Local Transportation

Travel Connectivity

Attractions

Healthcare

Education

Safety

Outdoor Activities

Population

Age