Topeka city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Topeka city, Kansas has a total population of 126,103, the 5th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $55,902, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Topeka city is the 5th largest city in Kansas with a population of 126,103.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Topeka city Quick Facts
How Topeka city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Topeka city Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Cities Similar to Topeka city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City city | 154,776 | $59,183 | $147,100 | 20.2% | 17.9% |
| Lawrence city | 95,459 | $62,838 | $269,500 | 55.1% | 17.6% |
| Olathe city | 143,720 | $112,232 | $340,600 | 49.4% | 5.6% |
| Overland Park city | 197,199 | $103,838 | $384,400 | 62.8% | 4.9% |
| Manhattan city | 53,951 | $58,441 | $243,700 | 52.1% | 26.1% |
Population Overview
Topeka city is a major urban center located in Kansas, within Shawnee County. The total population is 126,103. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Topeka city is 38.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Topeka city is $55,902. This is 23% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $130,600. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Topeka city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Topeka city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.3% vs 5.3%).
Education
29.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Topeka city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Topeka city, Kansas?
Topeka city, Kansas has a population of 126,103 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Topeka city, KS?
The median household income in Topeka city is $55,902, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Topeka city, KS?
The poverty rate in Topeka city is 15.6%. This means approximately 18,977 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Topeka city, Kansas?
Topeka city's population is 65.6% White, 9.3% Black, 16.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Topeka city, KS?
The median home value in Topeka city is $130,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Topeka city, Kansas?
29.1% of adults (25+) in Topeka city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.