The Town FilesTopeka, Kansas
City in Shawnee County · population 126,587 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $144,200
- Household income
- $56,956
- Jan low / Jul high
- 19° / 89°
- Snow a year
- 17 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 35
- Median age
- 38.0
Topeka is a city of 126,587 people in Shawnee County, Kansas. The median home is worth $144,200, above the typical Kansas town ($128,200). It ranks better transit than 97% of Kansas towns, more walkable than 96% of Kansas towns, more vibrant than 96% of Kansas towns.
How Topeka ranks
Percentile among Kansas towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Kansas towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Topeka is worth $144,200, above the typical Kansas town ($128,200). Homes cost about 2.5 times the median household income of $56,956, which is more affordable than 32% of Kansas towns. Median rent is $979 a month. 59.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Topeka | Typical Kansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $144,200 | $128,200 |
| Median rent | $979 | $815 |
| Median household income | $56,956 | $63,857 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.5× | 2.1× |
| Homeownership | 59.0% | 73.7% |
| Median year built | 1967 | 1964 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.1% | — |
Who lives in Topeka
| People | Topeka | Typical Kansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 | 38.5 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.4% | 19.0% |
| Under 18 | 22.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.0% | 24.0% |
| Below the poverty line | 15.7% | 10.6% |
| Veterans | 7.7% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 5.1% | — |
| Work from home | 10.9% | 6.4% |
| Average commute | 16.7 min | 19.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 88.1% | 89.2% |
Weather in Topeka
July highs average 88.5°F and January lows 18.7°F. About 37.3 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 17.1 inches of snow (typical Kansas town: 12.4 in). Expect about 44 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 114 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
35 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Topeka since 1950, compared with 26 for the typical Kansas town. 13 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F5, struck on June 8, 1966 about 0.6 miles from the town center and killed 16. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 17 deaths and 513 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on June 9, 2026.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 315 times; the largest was 5.25 inches on May 21, 2011.
Severe weather in Shawnee County since 1996
Shawnee County has been included in 17 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2024 | Winter Storm | DR-4774: Severe Winter Storm |
| March 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4504: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3481: Covid-19 |
| March 9, 2010 | Severe Storm | DR-1885: Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm |
| February 1, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1741: Severe Winter Storms |
Jobs and pay in Shawnee County
Shawnee County had 99,247 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $60,096 a year. Unemployment was 2.7% in 2023; in Topeka itself the ACS puts it at 4.9%.
Public schools in Topeka
42 public schools with 21,294 students, about 13.3 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn Rural High | 9-12 | 1,885 | 14.5 |
| Topeka High | 9-12 | 1,508 | 15.9 |
| Seaman High | 9-12 | 1,179 | 15.7 |
| Topeka West High | 9-12 | 1,009 | 15.3 |
| Washburn Rural Middle School | 7-8 | 1,008 | 12.6 |
| Highland Park High | 9-12 | 836 | 15.8 |
| Jardine Elementary | PK-5 | 714 | 14.3 |
| Farley Elementary | PK-6 | 624 | 15.2 |
| Logan Elementary | PK-6 | 592 | 16.0 |
| Seaman Middle School | 7-8 | 558 | 13.6 |
| Ross Elementary | PK-5 | 532 | 12.4 |
| Jay Shideler Elementary | K-6 | 519 | 12.7 |
Towns near Topeka
- St. Marys, KS22.6 mi · 2,759 people · home $206,900
- Lawrence, KS23.7 mi · 94,934 people · home $292,700
- Osage City, KS28.5 mi · 2,861 people · home $155,800
Topeka questions
Is Topeka, Kansas a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Topeka scores better for retirees than 10% of Kansas towns and quieter than 6%. 18.4% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.0).
How much does a house cost in Topeka?
The median owner-occupied home in Topeka is valued at $144,200 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $56,956, so homes cost about 2.5 times income. Median rent is $979 a month.
What is the weather like in Topeka?
July highs average 88.5°F and January lows 18.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 37.3 inches of precipitation a year and 17.1 inches of snow.
Does Topeka get tornadoes?
35 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Topeka since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F5 on June 8, 1966. The typical Kansas town has had 26.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)