Topeka, KS

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2021 Population

233,423

0.506% 1-year growth

US Senator

Jerry Moran

Republican Party

US Senator

Roger Marshall

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

11.4%

7.22% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$61,574

2.94% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$143,400

3.99% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

111,664

0.0672% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Topeka, KS had a population of 233k people with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $61,574. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Topeka, KS grew from 232,248 to 233,423, a 0.506% increase and its median household income grew from $59,815 to $61,574, a 2.94% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Topeka, KS are White (Non-Hispanic) (77%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.24%), White (Hispanic) (5.81%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.67%), and Other (Hispanic) (2.46%).

None of the households in Topeka, KS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98% of the residents in Topeka, KS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Topeka, KS are Washburn University (1,553 degrees awarded in 2021), Washburn Institute of Technology (901 degrees), and Rasmussen University-Kansas (317 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Topeka, KS was $143,400, and the homeownership rate was 69.8%.

Most people in Topeka, KS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Topeka, KS was 2 cars per household.

Topeka, KS borders Atchison, KS, Emporia, KS, Junction City, KS, Kansas City, MO-KS, Lawrence, KS, Manhattan, KS, and Ottawa, KS.

United States Kansas

Population & Diversity

Topeka, KS is home to a population of 233k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.42% of Topeka, KS residents were born outside of the country (7.99k people).

In 2021, there were 12.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (180k people) in Topeka, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 14.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 13.6k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2021 Citizenship

98.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98% of Topeka, KS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Topeka, KS was 98.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Topeka, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Topeka, KS

White (Non-Hispanic)
180k ± 374
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
14.6k ± 661
White (Hispanic)
13.6k ± 1.01k

10.8%

Hispanic Population

25.2k people

10.8% of the people in Topeka, KS are hispanic (25.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Topeka, KS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Kansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
81,246 ± 6,900 people
India
14,367 ± 2,936 people
Vietnam
10,893 ± 2,558 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kansas was Mexico, the natal country of 81,246 Kansas residents, followed by India with 14,367 and Vietnam with 10,893.

Foreign-Born Population

3.42%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

7.99k people

3.25%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

7.56k people

As of 2021, 3.42% of Topeka, KS residents (7.99k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Topeka, KS was 3.25%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Topeka, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,377 ± 563
Gulf War (2001-)
3,196 ± 429
Gulf War (1990s)
2,362 ± 328

Topeka, KS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Topeka, KS employs 112k people. The largest industries in Topeka, KS are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,920 people), Manufacturing (11,261 people), and Educational Services (10,674 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($86,135), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($72,530), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($59,987).

Males in Kansas have an average income that is 1.4 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,980. The income inequality in Kansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

112k

2021 Value

± 2,370

0.0672%

1 Year growth

± 2.95%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Topeka, KS grew at a rate of 0.0672%, from 112k employees to 112k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Topeka, KS, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,807 people), Management Occupations (10,085 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,038 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Topeka, KS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

112k

2021 Value

± 2,370

0.0672%

1 Year growth

± 2.95%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Topeka, KS grew at a rate of 0.0672%, from 112k employees to 112k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Topeka, KS, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,920 people), Manufacturing (11,261 people), and Educational Services (10,674 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Topeka, KS, though some of these residents may live in Topeka, KS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,518

Median earning men ± $1,127

$35,235

Median earning women ± $1,234

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($64,101), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,852), and Wholesale Trade ($56,620).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,948), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,157), and Public Administration ($43,478).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Kansas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kansas.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,762
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,574
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
1,041
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.96M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.33M
Manufacturing
$1.26M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kansas to other states, or from other states to Kansas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kansas product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $21B, followed by Meat/seafood ($17B) and Cereal grains ($14B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kansas.

$221B

2020 Value in Kansas

$406B

Projected 2050 Value in Kansas

83.5% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kansas trade was $221B. This is expected to increase 83.5% to $406B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kansas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kansas to other states, or from other states to Kansas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Missouri
$18.5B
Texas
$14.8B
Nebraska
$13.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Kansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Missouri with $18.5B, followed by Texas with $14.8B and Nebraska and $13.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kansas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.23%).

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing the state of Kansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Topeka, KS. Showing the available data for Kansas.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.23%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.23%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Jerry Moran

Senator from Kansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Roger Marshall

Senator from Kansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing Kansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Kansas

Kansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Topeka, KS awarded 2,781 degrees. The student population of Topeka, KS in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,922 male students and 4,700 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Topeka, KS are White (1,735 and 63.7%), followed by Unknown (313 and 11.5%), Hispanic or Latino (294 and 10.8%), and Black or African American (167 and 6.14%).

The largest universities in Topeka, KS by number of degrees awarded are Washburn University (1,553 and 55.8%), Washburn Institute of Technology (901 and 32.4%), and Rasmussen University-Kansas (317 and 11.4%).

The most popular majors in Topeka, KS are Registered Nursing (354 and 12.7%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (185 and 6.65%), and Home Health Aide (151 and 5.43%).

The median tuition cost in Topeka, KS for a public four year colleges is $8,762 for in-state students and $19,766 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2021 in Topeka, KS, the percentage of applicants admitted was 43.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 83%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 7,622 (38.3% men and 61.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 7,622 students enrolled in Topeka, KS, 38.3% men and 61.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,781 records, of which 63.1% were women and 36.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
50 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
200 degree-majors awarded
Other Health & Medical Administrative Services
52 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Topeka, KS was General Psychology with 50 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Topeka, KS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Washburn University
1,553 degrees awarded
Washburn Institute of Technology
901 degrees awarded
Rasmussen University-Kansas
317 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Washburn University with 1,553 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 962 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Topeka, KS, which is 0.529 times less than the 1,819 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,735 degrees mean that there were 5.54 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 313 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($11,654) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,985) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, less-than 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Measure

In 2021, 0.762% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.709% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (598k), Some college (550k), and Bachelors Degree (446k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Topeka, KS was $143,400 in 2021, which is 0.586 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $137,900 to $143,400, a 3.99% increase. The homeownership rate in Topeka, KS is 69.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Topeka, KS have an average commute time of 20.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Topeka, KS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Topeka, KS is $61,574. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Topeka, KS was Johnson County, KS with a value of $96,059, followed by Leavenworth County, KS and Miami County, KS, with respective values of $80,853 and $79,211.

Housing

Property

$143,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,045

$66,505

Median Property Taxes

±$1,772

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Topeka, KS the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Topeka, KS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

69.8%

Homeownership

2021

62.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 69.8% of the housing units in Topeka, KS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Topeka, KS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Topeka, KS was Johnson County, KS with a value of $96,059, followed by Leavenworth County, KS and Miami County, KS, with respective values of $80,853 and $79,211.

The following map shows all of the counties in Topeka, KS colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$61,574

Median Household Income

± $1,581

95.3k

Number of Households

± 2,194

In 2021, the median household income of the 95.3k households in Topeka, KS grew to $61,574 from the previous year's value of $59,815.

The following chart displays the households in Topeka, KS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Topeka, KS is from Kansas.

0.46

2021 Wage GINI in Kansas

0.457

2020 Wage GINI in Kansas

In 2021, the income inequality in Kansas was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.555% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Kansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (80.3%)
Carpooled (9.12%)
Worked At Home (7.24%)

In 2021, 80.3% of workers in Topeka, KS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.12%) and those who worked at home (7.24%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Topeka, KS have a shorter commute time (20.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.4% of the workforce in Topeka, KS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Topeka, KS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Topeka, KS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Topeka, KS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

11.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Topeka, KS (26.1k out of 228k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Topeka, KS is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

92.4% of the population of Topeka, KS has health coverage, with 52.4% on employee plans, 10.9% on Medicaid, 13.1% on Medicare, 14% on non-group plans, and 1.91% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Kansas see 1271 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.548% decrease from the previous year (1278 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1630 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 467 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

1,271 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kansas

Primary care physicians in Kansas see an average of 1,271 patients per year. This represents a 0.548% decrease from the previous year (1,278 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kansas in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 18.5% between 18 and 34 years, 38.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.62%

Uninsured

52.4%

Employer Coverage

10.9%

Medicaid

13.1%

Medicare

14%

Non-Group

1.91%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Topeka, KS grew by 5.02% from 7.25% to 7.62%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Topeka, KS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.