Topeka | USA Kansas

Topeka is the capital of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. Situated along the Kansas River in the northeastern part of the state, it serves as the administrative, political, and cultural heart of Kansas.

Historical Timeline

1854: Founded by nine anti-slavery settlers shortly after the Kansas-Nebraska Act; Topeka served as a "Free-State" stronghold.

1861: Kansas enters the Union as the 34th state; Topeka is chosen as the state capital.

1869: The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway begins construction, eventually establishing its headquarters and repair shops in the city.

1954: The landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case originates in Topeka, leading to the desegregation of U.S. public schools.

1966: An F5 tornado strikes the city on June 8, killing 16 people and causing catastrophic damage to the city and Washburn University.

Demographics & Population

The estimated 2026 population is 125,467.

Composition: 71.0% White, 10.6% Multiracial, 9.7% Black or African American, 1.8% Asian.

Ethnicity: 16.9% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

Economics: Median household income is $55,902. The economy is anchored by state government, healthcare, and education.

Labor Force: Major employers include the State of Kansas, Stormont Vail Health, and Washburn University.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Downtown: The political center, featuring the State Capitol, newly revitalized plazas, and the historic Jayhawk Theatre.

Strawberry Hill: (Note: Distinct from the KCK neighborhood) Local districts near the river are seeing ongoing housing and master plan advocacy through Downtown Topeka, Inc.

Gage Park: A 160-acre city park containing the zoo, the Reinisch Rose Garden, and the Kansas Children's Discovery Center.

North Topeka (NOTO): An emerging arts and entertainment district featuring galleries, shops, and antique stores.

Top Landmarks & Attractions

Kansas State Capitol: Features a 306-foot dome that is taller than the U.S. Capitol; the interior is famous for John Steuart Curry's murals, including the iconic depiction of John Brown.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site: Located at the former Monroe Elementary School; provides immersive exhibits on civil rights history.

Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center: Home to more than 300 animals and the first indoor tropical rainforest in the United States.

Evel Knievel Museum: A 13,000-square-foot facility housing the world's largest collection of the daredevil’s motorcycles, leathers, and memorabilia.

Kansas Museum of History: Showcases the state's heritage with exhibits ranging from Cheyenne tipis to a 19th-century locomotive.

Transportation & Infrastructure (2026)

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct: A major $239 million reconstruction project is currently active. Mid-year 2026, I-70 will be closed between Topeka Blvd. and S.E. 8th St. for approximately six months to connect the new viaduct.

Aviation: Topeka is served by Topeka Regional Airport (FOE) and Philip Billard Municipal Airport.

Public Transit: Topeka Metro operates the city's bus system.

Infrastructure Grant: In Jan 2026, Shawnee County secured $5 million for critical 911 and Real Time Crime Center updates.

Safety & Environmental Alerts (Jan 26, 2026)

Extreme Cold: A Cold Weather Advisory is currently active. Temperatures are hovering around -10°C (14°F) with wind chills dropping as low as -18°C (0°F).

Air Quality: Good (AQI 27). Primary pollutant is $O_3$; air is currently safe for the general public.

Traffic Alert: Short-term closures on Topeka Boulevard are in effect this week due to ongoing work on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.00 – $5.50

1 Standard Lunch (Downtown): $15.00 – $25.00

Median Home Value: $130,600

Taxes: State sales tax is 6.5%; personal income tax top rate is 4.8%.

Facts & Legends

The name "Topeka" is a Kansa-Ioway word meaning "to dig good potatoes," referring to the prairie turnips found along the river. A verified fact: The Kansas State Capitol dome is one of the few in the world where visitors can take a guided tour to the very top exterior balcony. A local legend involves the "Albino Woman of Rochester Cemetery," a ghost described as having stark white skin and pink eyes who is rumored to roam the cemetery grounds with a spectral white dog.