Kansas and U.S. history run through the veins of Topeka, the state capital. While nicknamed by early settlers as "The Golden City" for its dazzling sunlit hills and autumn elms, Topeka did have to go through a very red period known as Bleeding Kansas to get to its golden era. It was a gruesome time between 1854 and 1860 when pro and anti-slavery forces fought to decide whether or not Kansas would be a free state. Come 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union, and Topeka was named the state capital. However, racial tensions didn't stop there as the Topeka NAACP and 13 Black families in 1950 organized a case against segregated elementary schools. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka made its way to the Supreme Court in 1954, leading to a unanimous landmark vote that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
Today, the Kansas State Capitol, aka the Kansas Statehouse, majestically towers over Downtown Topeka , an area that has seen significant growth ever since businesses left for the suburbs between the 1960s and '90s. "People are proud that our downtown is being revitalized," says lifelong Topekan Katie Keckeisen, the history librarian at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. "It was pretty dead for decades, but we're seeing a lot of businesses coming back." Downtown businesses typically close around 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., so it's not really known for its nightlife, but the city still offers a lively atmosphere with annual events and entertainment venues. Away from downtown are dozens of neighborhoods with historic character in Central Topeka . North Topeka , known as NOTO, is the city's arts district and feels like its own little town across from the Kansas River. Southwest Topeka offers a more suburban environment with mid-century homes near Topeka's busiest commercial corridor, while South Topeka features similar housing by Lake Shawnee, a community hot spot for outdoor recreation. Just outside city limits is the encompassing farmland of Shawnee County and its rural communities, such as Tecumseh to the west and Grantville just across the river.
Topeka was nicknamed by early settlers as "The Golden City".
Take a tour of the State Capitol of Kansas in the heart of Topeka.
Residents in Topeka can fish around the lake year round..
This park landmarks supreme court case that ended legal segregation in public schools.
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Storm shelters and basements built into homes with lower-than-average prices
Homebuyers are drawn to Topeka’s median home price of $187,000, compared to the national median of $416,700, though local prices have risen about 5% from 2023. The city is primarily made up of single-family homes built before 1970, but Southwest Topeka has many townhouses. The iconic neighborhood of Potwin features grand Victorian homes along original red-brick streets where the wealthiest of the late 1800s lived. Historic Holliday Park also features some of the city’s oldest homes centered on its namesake park. Many Central Topeka communities are full of early 1900s bungalows. The rest of the city is more suburban, with modest mid-century homes.
Because Topeka is in Tornado Alley, many properties were built with storm shelters and/or basements, the safest place in a home during severe weather. Tornado Alley is a region of the Midwest that is susceptible to tornadoes, with peak season running from April through June, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The last tornado to hit the city was in 2014 and was categorized as an EF0 that touched down briefly in North Topeka, only causing tree damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has been tracking tornadoes since 1950. The most catastrophic tornado to ever touch down in Topeka was an F5 in 1966, which, according to the National Weather Service, killed 17 people, injured more than 500 and destroyed about 800 homes with winds exceeding 250 mph. Outside of tornado season, Topeka experiences four seasons, with the average summer high at 89 degrees and the average winter low at 20 degrees.
Victorian homes line the streets in the historic areas of Topeka.
There are several bungalow style homes in Topeka neighborhoods.
There are several historic home type to choose from in the heart of Topeka.
Victorian Homes are commonly found lining he streets of Topeka.
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Local shopping, art and community events
The Wanamaker Corridor in Southwest Topeka is the city’s largest shopping destination. It’s common even for people on the far east side of the city to make the approximately 20-minute drive to Wanamaker’s bustling shopping centers. That’s not to say there are no other big box stores around Topeka, as residents can still make quick trips to stores in and near their neighborhoods. While local shops, restaurants and bars are also scattered around Topeka, including in Westboro Mart, the oldest shopping center in the city, most small businesses are in downtown and the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District.
“The arts scene has been blooming in the last decade,” says Keckeisen. “NOTO is a vibrant area. We have the Mulvane Art Fair every year at Washburn University. And we have ballet studios that put on regular performances. Around Christmas, there are at least two productions of The Nutcracker going on.” NOTO’s mural-clad buildings and streets welcome a creative atmosphere among the district’s galleries, antique shops and cafes. The artistic juices and community spirit all come together at Redbud Park, where people gather for First Friday concerts from local bands while surrounded by paintings and sculptures. More murals can be seen around Topeka, and as part of a beautification project, the city’s utility boxes were transformed and painted by local artists. The Great Mural Wall of Topeka in the Chesney Park neighborhood also ties together the history of Topeka in a collage of murals surrounding a former water reservoir. The Mulvane Art Museum, part of the Washburn University campus, houses a rotating collection of in-house collections and guest exhibitions. The university’s White Concert Hall hosts performing arts shows put on by the university and the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Meanwhile, the Stormont Vail Events Center attracts national touring bands, monster truck rallies and other lively events.
Many neighborhoods offer their own community events. In Oakland , residents celebrate Mexican culture during the five-day Fiesta Topeka event put on by Our Lady of Guadalupe Church every summer. During the holiday season, people from all over Topeka flock to Potwin to see just about every house decked out in Christmas lights and decorations, a tradition that has been going strong since the 1970s.
The White Concert Hall hosts preforming arts shows put on by Washburn University.
Stormont Vail Event Center attracts national touring bands, and monster truck rallies.
The North Topeka Redbud Park calls visitors with bright colors, events and greenery.
West Ridge Mall is the perfect spot to shop or grab a bite to eat.
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Leisure and learning
There’s no shortage of choices for leisure around this city. Gage Park, the largest in Topeka, offers tons of recreational activities and unique adventures. It’s home to the Topeka Zoo, a carousel from 1908, a miniature train that rides passengers around the park and the Children’s Discovery Center, where kids can learn through hands-on activities.
In Southwest Topeka, locals enjoy the outdoors at Lake Shawnee, whether taking a boat out or strolling along walkways and gardens around the water. There are also plenty of places to explore the area’s local history. From the design of its buildings to its parks, the city is rich with stories of its past. Topeka’s capitol building, which dates to 1903, is a visual nod to both neoclassical designs and Topeka’s deft fusion of past and present. The Brown v. Board of Education Historical Park commemorates the city’s impact on the civil rights movement, located in the former Monroe Elementary School – one of four segregated schools for African Americans in Topeka during that time.
The Stormont Vail Events Center hosts a variety of shows, exhibitions, equestrian events and rodeos and more. NCAA Division II sports are on display at Washburn University. And with Topeka being about halfway between Kansas State University in Manhattan and the University of Kansas in Lawrence, locals enjoy cheering on both the Wildcats and Jayhawks.
The Gage Park Mini-Train weaves its way through the park terrain and tunnels.
Residents sit and relax on benches throughout the Shawnee Lake area.
Play some glow in the dark mini golf at the West Ridge Mall in Ellenwand.
The kids will love the Discovery Centers rotating exhibitions.
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Topeka's top employees start with the State of Kansas
As the state capital, Topeka’s largest employer is the state of Kansas, employing more than 9,900 workers. There’s a big healthcare presence in Topeka, with Stormont Vail Health employing around 4,400 people and University of Kansas Health Systems – St. Francis Campus, with more than 1,300 employees. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a cat and dog food manufacturer, also provides jobs to more than 3,400 people.
The Kansas State Capital is in the heart of Topeka's Metro.
Stormont Vail Health is close by in an emergency.
Stormont Vail Health is one of the largest employers in Topeka.
The University of Kansas in Topeka has over 13000 employees.
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Public and private grade schools and Washburn University
The city is served by Topeka Public Schools, which earns a B grade from Niche and is rated the most diverse school district in Kansas. It consists of 16 elementary schools, seven middle schools and six high schools, with Topeka High most notable for its elaborate Gothic architecture and iconic bell tower. A large portion of the southwestern section of Shawnee County is served by the Auburn Washburn Unified School District, which earns an A grade from Niche and is ranked the eighth best school district in the state.
Students in Topeka may also attend one of Kansas’ top 20 private schools. Cair Paravel Latin School and Heritage Christian School offer private, faith-based education and are ranked the ninth and 13th-best private schools in Kansas, respectively.
Topeka is also home to Washburn University, which Niche ranks among the top 10 colleges in Kansas. Originally called Lincoln College when it opened in 1865, the institution changed its name after Ichabod Washburn made a large financial donation in 1868. Students are now referred to as Ichabods and statues depicting his likeness can be found all over the city.
Topeka is home to Washburn University which was founded in 1865.
The school was founded in 1980, making it one of the first classical Christian schools.
Topeka High School welcomes all students to learn, be involved and make a difference.
Older students may attend Seaman High School.
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Working to combat violence
The Topeka Police Department is an active participant in Shawnee County’s violence intervention initiative, Strategies Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE.) Law enforcement collaborates with the community to create effective approaches to neutralize the threat of violence. According to FBI statistics, Topeka’s violent crime is going up while property crime is going down. In 2023, 1,248 violent crimes were reported, which held steady from 2022, but is up from 752 reported five years prior. This puts the violent crime rate at about 9.7 per 1,000 people. As for property crimes, 5,117 were reported in 2023. While that’s up from 4,675 reported the previous year, it’s down from the 6,567 reported five years ago. This puts 2023’s property crime rate at 39.7 per 1,000 people.
Traveling in Topeka
The city offers several ways to get around. Interstate 70 connects Topeka to many other Kansas cities, including Lawrence and Kansas City. Travelers can bypass downtown by driving along Interstate 470. The city also receives Amtrak service and has bus routes via Greyhound and Topeka Metro. Kansas City International Airport is about 73 miles away, while the Manhattan Regional Airport is 62 miles away and offers daily flights to Chicago and Dallas/ Fort Worth. Topeka Regional Airport does not offer commercial flights. It’s primarily used by the Kansas Air and Army national guards, and for transporting University of Kansas athletes.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
