Downtown Topeka is a hub for jobs, restaurants and entertainment
The heart of Kansas’ state capital, Downtown Topeka, is the city’s hub for jobs, restaurants and entertainment. Home to the Kansas Statehouse, other state buildings and business offices, downtown makes up a quarter of the city’s workforce. It’s also home to about 2,000 residents, 84% of which rent from the neighborhood’s apartments, while 16% of homeowners live in condominiums. Locals can walk down from their units to the many businesses below, whether during the busy days or the slower nightlife. “There’s a lot open during the day,” says John Ringgold, a real estate agent with Keller Williams who has lived in Topeka his whole life. “After 5 p.m., it starts to slow down with a handful of restaurants that stay open at night.” Downtown is still full of excitement, featuring lots of events and live music throughout the year.
Bars, restaurants and community events make Downtown Topeka the hub for entertainment in the state capital.
The Kansas State Capitol and Visitor Center is located in Downtown Topeka
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Local shops and restaurants on Kansas Avenue
Most of downtown’s dozens of restaurants are along a three-quarter-mile stretch of Kansas Avenue between Fourth and 12th streets. Hanover Pancake House is a well-known spot that has been serving breakfast to the community since 1969. There are several multi-cultural establishments, including Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant, Olive Café, which serves Indian food, and The Celtic Fox, an Irish pub. Those looking for trendy hangout spots head to Julia’s Coffee and Bistro, Iron Rail Brewing and The Tee Box, which is a bar with an indoor golf simulator. Shoppers on Kansas Avenue will find several Boutiques and a variety of specialty shops from Hazel Hill Chocolate’s hand-crafted treats to Supersonic Music’s instrument collection. For everyday shopping needs, it’s common for people to drive 10 to 15 minutes to the national retailers along Wanamaker Corridor in Southwest Topeka.
Supersonic Music is Downtown Topeka's resource for new and used music gear.
Many businesses shut down after 5, but some bars and restaurants stay open at night, including The Celtic Fox Irish pub.
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Community events at Evergy Plaza
Evergy Plaza serves as downtown’s place for respite and entertainment. On a typical day, people go there to relax on a bench, keep warm by the 16-foot-long fire pit or cool off in the splash pad. The plaza has a stage and frequently hosts events, including the annual IrishFest. “St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal here,” says Ringgold. “During IrishFest, There’s a parade, lots of Irish beer and The Celtic Fox closes off the street and sets up a stage for live music.” The plaza hosts Eats & Beats, a concert series with food trucks held every Thursday from May through August. Between spring and fall, the plaza plays movies at night on the second Friday of each month for Friday Flicks. Downtown is also home to Topeka Performing Arts Center, which hosts nationally touring acts and local productions from Ballet Midwest. The Historic Jayhawk Theatre was established in 1926 as a movie palace. It’s currently being renovated to host live entertainment.
Downtown events like Envista Eats & Beats is where live music and excellence meet.
The Downtown Topeka Evergy Plaza offers offers local food trucks and entertainment.
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Education through Topeka Public Schools
Students may attend Meadows Elementary School, which receives a B-minus grade from Niche. They would go on to Robinson Middle School, rated a C-plus, and then B-plus-rated Topeka High School. The high school is ranked the second-best college prep high school in Shawnee County, offering dual credit courses through Washburn University for qualifying students.
Kids may go to Meadows Elementary School if they live in Downtown Topeka.
Robinson Middle School is named after Charles Robinson, the first governor of Kansas.
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Apartments in mixed-use buildings and condominiums
While most residents rent apartments in mixed-use buildings above local businesses, downtown has some condominium units people can buy. There are less than 50 units, so they don’t hit the market often. There were no condo sales between February 2024 and February 2025. However, a one-bedroom, two-bath unit with 1,200 square feet listed for $230,000 in March 2025.
Some people that live in Downtown Topeka buy apartments in the 2nd and 3rd story of mixed-use buildings around the city's center.
Colonial style homes are flanked by brick sidewalks and roads near Downtown Topeka.
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Public buses and access to I-70
Topeka Metro offers public bus routes around downtown and the rest of Topeka. Interstate 70 runs directly through downtown and is used to get to opposite ends of the city. It can also be taken for an approximately one-hour drive to Kansas City and Kansas City International Airport, the closest option for commercial flights. Topeka’s Amtrak station is downtown and is serviced by the Southwest Chief train, which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Police chief working to curb violence
Downtown Topeka receives a CAP Index crime score of 9 out of 10. The Topeka Police Department hired a new chief of police, Chris Vallejo, in 2024. According to an article by WIBW, a local news station, Vallejo plans to create a three-to-five-year plan to curb violence in the city, which involves collecting and analyzing feedback from the community.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Brandy Criss-Engler,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Santa Fe Park
Ripley Park
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Ward Meade Park
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Topeka
US
Homicide
10
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
9
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
9
4
Larceny
8
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Topeka, Topeka sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Topeka, Topeka over the last 12 months is $114,000, down 52% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Modern conveniences with an industrial feel in this warehouse turned into lofts! Gorgeous 2 bedroom lofts in Downtown Topeka. Rent ranges from $1100- $1500 / mo. Amenities include indoor stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite counter tops and window sills, 5' x 8' windows, storage lockers, indoor and off-street parking, elevator and trash chute. Easy to get to Downtown Topeka, NOTO,
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Brandy Criss-Engler,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,462
Median Age
40
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$18,497
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$25,960
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
79.8%
College Graduates
6.5%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.1%
% Population in Labor Force
42.3%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
84/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
62/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
44/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
