$114,851Average Value$106Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
A working-class community known for its Mexican culture
East Topeka was developed in the late 1800s, organized with north-south streets named after U.S. states and numbered streets running east and west. Many of these streets are residential with houses dating as far back as the neighborhood’s origins. Others, such as California Avenue and Sixth Street, are commercial. Mexican restaurants are common, because East Topeka and its neighboring community of Oakland were where many Mexicans emigrated to work on the Santa Fe Railway during the late 19th century. The Mexican culture is also prevalent through the neighborhood’s churches, such as Casa de Dios Topeka, along with the many Hispanic markets. "East Topeka is one of those areas if you grew up there, you stay there,” says Janet Carter, broker of Carter Realty and a native Topekan. “Most of those people don’t venture out because they know the area and the people. It's a working-class neighborhood, and they are comfortable.” Carter adds that people moving from outside of Topeka tend to be drawn to the west side of the city for the newer homes.
Close to downtown and Lake Shawnee, East Topeka is a community beaming with cultural pride.
Zoila's Cafe is a family restaurant with amazing flavor in every bite.
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Outdoor fun at Dornwood Park and Lake Shawnee
Dornwood Park's five fields serve as the home for the Topeka Baseball and Softball Association for players ranging in age from under 6 to older than 19. There's also a playground and a spray park. The wooded Deer Creek Trail runs 3 miles north along Deer Creek to the Shunga Trail along the Shunganunga Creek and less than 2 miles south to Lake Shawnee, the largest lake in Topeka. Trails continue around the stocked lake, leading to boat ramps and fishing docks. Other activities surround the lake, including a disc golf course and Ted Ensley Gardens, where people can stroll and relax among 1,500 plants and flowers. Topeka Cemetery, established in 1859, occupies about 80 acres of the neighborhood alongside the adjoining Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Watch the kids play on the playground at Dornwood Park in East Topeka.
Residents in East Topeka take brisk walks around Lake Shawnee with furry friends.
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Dual language and science & fine arts magnet elementary schools
While students from all over Topeka have to apply to attend Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet Elementary School, many who live in East Topeka are zoned there. The magnet school earns a C grade from Niche and is the only elementary school of its kind in the city, where students can get hands-on experience in various science labs. Students may also apply to attend C-plus-graded Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, a designated International Spanish Academy by the Embassy of Spain. Students go on to Eisenhower Middle School, graded C, and Highland Park High School, graded C-plus.
Kids in the area can attend Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet School.
Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary engages students in the highest quality of learning.
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Mexican restaurants and grocery stores
East Topeka has just over a dozen Mexican restaurants, most of which are on Sixth Street. Tacos El Sol has been in operation since 1998. It’s one of many sit-down Mexican restaurants, in addition to the Poblanos Grill Cemitas food truck and the Panaderia Monterrey bakery. Mexican produce is also available at La Unica Super Market and Mi Pueblito Meat Market, both of which sell and serve food. On California Avenue, locals can shop for everyday essentials at Walmart, Dillons and a few other national retailers. The busy thoroughfare also has a mix of national chain and local restaurants.
East Topeka's SE 6th Street is lined with delicious restaurant options.
Locals can stop by La Unica Super Market for groceries and fresh tortillas.
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Houses from the late 1800s through today
East Topeka’s long and straight streets are lined with houses mostly built between the early and mid-1900s, with a few dating as far back as the late 1800s. The oldest homes are bungalows and two-story cottages, while ranch styles began popping up in the mid-1900s. They can be anywhere from 600 to 2,300 square feet, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $225,000, though most hover around $80,000 to $140,000. Some vacant lots exist, though most homes have next-door neighbors. There is a newer development on the southeast side of the neighborhood close to Lake Shawnee. Built beginning in the 1990s, this area features modern ranch-style and New Traditional houses with multi-car garages. They range from around $200,000 to $400,000.
Many houses are built with garages due to East Topeka being in Tornado Alley, a Midwest region susceptible to tornadoes, especially from April to June. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes since 1950. Since then, the only tornado to touch down in East Topeka was in 1991. It was an EF0 tornado just north of Lake Shawnee, which caused about $250,000 in property damage.
Homes in East Topeka closer to downtown are mostly bungalows and cottages.
Some larger homes live near Lake Shawnee in East Topeka.
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Fiesta Topeka and annual events at Lake Shawnee
Fiesta Topeka is a five-day event, held traditionally at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the bordering neighborhood of Oakland. It draws crowds in July to celebrate Mexican culture through food, music and art. Carnival rides, a parade and a 5K race add to the event's attractions. Lake Shawnee also hosts events, including the Sertoma Great Topeka Duck race, where thousands of participants purchase floating plastic ducks, which are then dumped into the lake to race to the finish line. The grand prize in 2024 was a car, and proceeds went to local charities. There’s also Winter Wonderland, a drive-through light display held during the holiday season at Lake Shawnee to raise money for TARC, a non-profit organization that provides services for people with disabilities.
Getting around East Topeka and the rest of the city
A drive to downtown can be 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on the East Topeka starting point. From the north side, the drive is along Sixth or 10th streets right into the heart of the city. From the center of the neighborhood, the drive is about 2 miles on Interstate 70. Residents closer to Lake Shawnee also take I-70, though it’s a 6-mile commute. Public transportation is available through Topeka Metro, which has bus stops all along the main roads. Those traveling long distances can take I-70, which runs east and west through the entire state of Kansas. People who want to fly drive 70 miles to Kansas City International Airport. There’s also an Amtrak station just entering downtown from Sixth Street, where the Southwest Chief train goes northeast to Chicago and southwest to Los Angeles.
East Topeka's Amtrak station provides locals with direct access to travel the country.
Topeka Metro buses offer public transportation with stops throughout East Topeka.
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 area?
Reach out to
Tracy O'Brien,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lake Shawnee
Dornwood Park
Ripley Park
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Topeka
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Topeka, Topeka sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in East Topeka, Topeka over the last 12 months is $179,864, up 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
All the extras and then some when this custom home was designed, built, updated, and maintained! Nice open floor plan for the living room, dining, and generous eat-in kitchen with pantry and built-ins in this main-floor living home with the ensuite primary bedroom, bath, huge walk-in closet also home to the laundry. Head down the switch back stairs, past another full bedroom and bath, and find
Stunning 5BD/3BA Shawnee Heights Ranch – Custom Mark Boling Home with Upgrades & Loads of Space! With 3,400+ sq. ft., this home offers premium finishes and modern comforts in a peaceful setting. Step inside and be captivated by the hickory hardwood floors, soaring 11-ft. ceilings, and abundant natural light streaming through large windows. The open layout offers seamless flow between living,
Here’s your opportunity to grab a deal! This bungalow is priced to sell! Back yard is Room to Grow with a nice sized lot — perfect for adding outdoor retreats, storage, or future expansion. Bring your vision, roll up your sleeves, and watch this bungalow blossom into a high-return asset! Whether you’re flipping for profit or planting roots, this property is ready and waiting for your expertise.
Welcome to the newest phase of Aquarian Acres—where nature, space, and convenience come together. This stunning .41-acre lot is perfectly positioned offering a walk-out basement layout and peaceful views of the mature tree line just beyond your backyard. Located within the Shawnee Heights School District and only 15 minutes from Lawrence, this spacious lot combines the serenity of a wooded
Welcome to the newest phase of Aquarian Acres—where nature, space, and convenience come together. This stunning .56-acre lot is perfectly positioned offering a walk-out basement layout and peaceful views of the mature tree line just beyond your backyard. Located within the Shawnee Heights School District and only 15 minutes from Lawrence, this spacious lot combines the serenity of a wooded
Paradise Plaza Apartments in Topeka, KS, is a multifamily residential complex, with 1-bedroom apartments and 2- and 3-bedroom townhomes. Located in the capital city of Kansas – Topeka – we’re ideally situated near I-70, Shawnee Lake, and downtown Topeka.These Topeka apartments offer three unique floor plans, featuring washer/dryer connections, updated kitchens and bathrooms, and central
Come check out Shawnee Lake Apartments! We are currently taking applications for our 1 & 2 bedrooms We currently carry 12-month term leases. (Resident responsibility would be electricity, water, gas, and renter insurance) Our community apartments are budget friendly and spacious. We have after-hours Emergency Maintenance as well! Most
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy O'Brien,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
9,256
Median Age
35
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,684
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$49,253
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.8%
College Graduates
8.8%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
19/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
26/ 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.
