$170,064Average Value$117Average Price per Sq Ft19Homes For Sale
Life in the center of Topeka
Spanning more than 5 square miles, Central Topeka includes pockets of subdivisions with houses 50 years to more than 100 years old. These slow-paced residential streets are encompassed by thoroughfares, allowing residents the convenience of living 4 miles from downtown to the east and 4 miles from the city’s busiest commercial corridor to the west. The neighborhood also has its own conveniences, from excursions to Topeka’s largest municipal park, the academics, athletics and theater performances of Washburn University and longtime local restaurants.
Central Topeka is halfway between downtown and Topeka's busiest commercial corridor.
Locals head to Iron Rail Brewing in downtown Topeka for lunch and dinners.
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Leafy lots with streets that appear English
Houses in Central Topeka are typically on leafy lots of less than a quarter-acre. Bungalows, Cape Cods and ranch-style houses from the early-to-mid-1900s make up most of the neighborhood. They can range from 800- to 3,000 square feet, with move-in-ready properties selling for $90,000 to $290,000. South of Huntoon Street, Tudor-style cottages make some streets feel like small English villages. Some of the largest houses are 4,000 to 7,000 square feet with half-acre to three-quarter acre yards that back into Big Shunga Park. They sell for around $450,000 to $800,000.
Topeka is in Tornado Alley, a Midwest region susceptible to tornadoes, especially from April to June. Because of this, many houses in Central Topeka are built with basements, which is known to be the safest area in a home during severe weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes since 1950. Since then, no tornadoes have been reported in the neighborhood.
Large modern homes may have detached garages in the Central Topeka neighborhood.
Central Topeka sports homes on cul-de-sacs with privacy fences.
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Adventures at Gage Park include a mini train
Residents on the north side of Central Topeka live right by Gage Park. The 160-acre park features a 2-mile fitness trail that leads to popular attractions, including a century-old carousel and the Reinisch Rose Gardens. Visitors also enjoy exploring the park by riding the miniature train, which is right across the street from the Topeka Zoo, home to more than 300 animals. While this is one of the most prominent parks in the city, there are plenty of other places in Central Topeka to enjoy the outdoors. “We have these little neighborhood parks that pop up,” says Janet Carter, broker of Carter Realty and a native Topekan. “It’s almost like a house burned down and they decided to build a park there.” Hughes Park is one of the neighborhood’s most recently updated recreational spaces, featuring Shawnee County’s first all-accessible playground, built in 2021, and 18 pickleball courts. Another option is Shunga Glen Park, where skaters can hit the ramps at the skatepark and nature enthusiasts go for hikes on the forested Shunga Trail. Three high schools play sports at Hummer Sports Park, including football, baseball and soccer. The swim teams also compete in the park’s natatorium, which is also open for public swimming.
The Mini-Train at Gage Park takes you to the Topeka Zoo and drops you off out front.
Locals enjoy bike rides through the winding paved trails at Shunga Glen Park.
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Big box retailers and Bobo's Drive In - as seen on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives
Of Central Topeka’s many main roads, Gage Boulevard and Sixth Avenue are the busiest. People can head to Gage Boulevard to shop for groceries at Dillons and grab a bite to eat from dozens of restaurants. Some options include Spangles, a Topeka chain known for its 1950s diner atmosphere, and Paisano’s Ristorante, an upscale Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Walmart is on Sixth Avenue, along with a few restaurants. Perhaps one of the most classic Topeka staples is at the corner of 10th and Macvicar avenues – Bobo’s Drive In. People have been parking and eating in Bobo’s lots since 1948, especially for its famous apple pie. “The original owners don’t own it anymore, but they left a lasting impact,'' says Joshua Jager, who has lived in Topeka for most of his life. “Every single night, Mrs. Bobo would go downstairs, slice the apples and bake the pies to sell the next day. It used to be you would buy a whole pie, but the deal was you had to pay a deposit for the pie tin. When you were done eating your pie, you’d bring it back, and she’d give you your money back.” Bobo’s was also visited by Chef Guy Fieri, appearing on the Food Network’s show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007. For a more abundant shopping and dining experience, many people head 4 miles west to the Wannamaker Corridor, which has dozens of big box retailers.
Spangles is a fast-food restaurant with 4 locations in Topeka.
Central Topeka residents head to the big box stores near Westridge Mall.
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The country's longest running dinner theatre and events at Topeka Zoo
The Topeka Civic Theatre has been entertaining the community since 1936 and is the oldest continuously running community dinner theatre in the country. Locals can also catch a performance at Washburn University’s White Concert Hall, which hosts student productions and the Topeka Symphony Orchestra.
The Topeka Zoo holds annual events, such as Boo at the Zoo, where kids dress up in their costumes and go trick-or-treat among the animals. During the holiday season, people get bundled up for Topeka Zoo Lights. The event has trees, statues and tunnels illuminated with holiday lights from mid-November through late December.
The university's White Concert Hall presents student productions and performances.
Central Topeka heads to catch a show at The Topeka Civic Theater.
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Several educational routes through Topeka Public Schools
Central Topeka is served by about five elementary, four middle and two high schools. One route students may follow is starting at Randolph Elementary, which earns a B-minus grade from Niche. They may go on to Robinson Middle School, graded a C-plus, and Topeka High School, graded a B-plus. The high school is well known for its gothic architecture and 165-foot bell tower. It’s ranked the second-best college prep high school in Shawnee County, offering dual credit courses through Washburn University for qualifying students. Washburn University is actually in Central Topeka, where students can study from more than 200 academic programs and compete in NCAA Division II sports.
Robinson Middle School is named after Charles Robinson, the first governor of Kansas.
Topeka High School engages students in the highest quality of learning.
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A 4-mile commute to downtown via car or bus
To get to downtown Topeka, commuters will drive from any one of the main roads, where public buses are also available through Topeka Metro. Interstate 470 runs along the south side of the neighborhood, wrapping around the city to Interstate 70. I-70 runs through the north side of the neighborhood, heading east and west through Kansas. It’s about a 65-mile drive to Kansas City, where people can fly out of Kansas City International Airport.
SW Gage Boulevard leads north & south through the city, housing many shops and restaurants.
Locals can jump on the Topeka Metro to get around Central Topeka and beyond.
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On average, homes in Central Topeka, Topeka sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Topeka, Topeka over the last 12 months is $157,450, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 3-Bedroom Ranch with Modern Updates! Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath ranch-style home that combines comfort, functionality, and peace of mind. Enjoy the benefits of brand new HVAC, Class 4 impact-resistant roof, updated electrical service, new carpet, and fresh interior paint — all the big-ticket items are done! All appliances inside the home will stay. Step
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