Topeka, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Topeka, Kansas had a total population of 125,786, the 5th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $56,956, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Topeka is the 5th largest city in Kansas with a population of 125,786.
Topeka Quick Facts
How Topeka Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 125,786 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $55,902 | $56,956 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $130,600 | $144,200 | +10.4% |
How Topeka Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Topeka Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Shawnee County
Cities Similar to Topeka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 155,135 | $62,401 | $167,400 | 20.8% | 16.0% |
| Lawrence | 96,051 | $65,009 | $292,700 | 55.8% | 17.4% |
| Olathe | 145,057 | $114,009 | $364,700 | 50.5% | 5.6% |
| Overland Park | 200,306 | $104,834 | $413,600 | 63.7% | 5.6% |
| Manhattan | 54,239 | $60,172 | $246,700 | 53.3% | 23.3% |
Population Overview
Topeka is a major urban center located in Kansas, within Shawnee County. The total population is 125,786. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Topeka is 38.0 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Topeka is $56,956. This is 23% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $144,200. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Topeka is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Topeka is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.5% vs 5.1%).
Education
29.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Topeka, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Topeka, Kansas?
Topeka, Kansas has a population of 125,786 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Topeka, KS?
The median household income in Topeka is $56,956, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Topeka, KS?
The poverty rate in Topeka is 15.7%. This means approximately 19,123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Topeka, Kansas?
Topeka's population is 65.1% White, 8.5% Black, 16.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Topeka, KS?
The median home value in Topeka is $144,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Topeka, Kansas?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Topeka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.