Less than 2 miles west of Downtown Topeka, Elmhurst is an established neighborhood with some of the oldest houses in the city. “People move here for the older homes,” says Carol Holthaus, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, who services the neighborhood. “They have more character and are cheaper than newer homes in the city. There are also lots of old trees, which you won’t find in newer neighborhoods.” Elmhurst was appropriately named for the many elm trees that once graced the quaint, 0.15-square-mile neighborhood. Though most of the elms were decimated by an outbreak of Dutch Elm Disease between the 1960s and 1970s, residents of the time planted the diverse trees that provide shade for the neighborhood today.
Tree-lined streets adorn Elmhurst, a small neighborhood with some of the oldest homes in Topeka.
There are so many different types of homes in the Elmhurst area that sit on quarter acre lots.
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Century-old homes exhibit life in the early 1900s
Most houses were built between the 1900s and 1930s, with American Foursquares and Craftsman-style bungalows being the most prominent styles. Other distinct architecture can be found scattered around the neighborhood, including some English-style cottages and Tudor Revivals, all of which embody the neighborhood’s fancy lifestyle of the early 1900s. “It was a swanky place to be when it started,” says Katie Keckeisen, the history librarian of Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library who grew up in Elmhurst. Homes generally range from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, selling for $100,000 to $220,000 with renovations. Those in need of some work sell for around $35,000 to $75,000. Large, covered front porches are a common feature for homes in Elmhurst. While some houses have driveways, many require street parking, which typically isn’t hard to find.
Many homes in the Elmhurst neighborhood have been around since the early 1900s.
Charming 3 story homes that sit on corner lots can be found in the Elmhurst neighborhood.
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Fun and unique activities at Gage Park
Locals mostly enjoy the natural scenery of Elmhurst by going for strolls on the neighborhood’s tree-lined sidewalks. They lead to Elmhurst Green, a one-block, winding walkway lined with street lamps and shrubs along Washburn Avenue between Munson Avenue and 12th Street. According to Keckeisen and Holthaus, the main park locals visit is Gage Park, which is about 2 miles west. The 160-acre park is one of the largest in Topeka. There are tons of fun activities for kids, including a 1-mile miniature train ride, a century-old carousel, the Topeka Zoo and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, featuring lots of hands-on learning activities. Walkways weave throughout the park, taking people over a lake bridge, under canopies of trees and to Reinisch Rose Garden’s reflecting pond and 5,500 rose bushes. People also enjoy visiting the park to play beach volleyball and swim in the outdoor community pool, which features four water slides, high dives, sprinklers and a rope obstacle.
Take the kids to the Gage Park Carousel in the Park for a new and fun excitement.
Wonder through the Reinisch Rose Garden at Gage Park.
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An architectural beauty at Topeka High
Students are zoned to Lowman Hill Elementary School, which gets a C-plus grade from Niche. Lowman Hill is located in the neighborhood, making it easily within walking distance of many homes. Landon Middle, which gets a B-minus grade, is about 3 miles west. Topeka High is about 1 mile east and earns a B grade while being ranked the fourth-most diverse high school in the state. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its elaborate Gothic-style architecture with a 165-foot bell tower inspired by Henry VIII’s Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. Students may continue their education at Washburn University, just 1 mile south of Elmhurst.
Topeka High School welcomes all students to learn, be involved and make a difference.
Lowman Hill Elementary is located at 101 SW Garfield Avenue in Topeka, Kansas.
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An annual art show and weekly farmers market
While the Aaron Douglas Art Park isn’t typically used as a traditional park, it hosts the annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair every fall. The event started in 2006 after a mural was created in honor of the Topeka native and world-renowned artist of the Harlem Renaissance. The fair features up to 50 artists showcasing their work, art activities for kids and local food.
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, which is located in Elmhurst, hosts Monday Farmers Market from May through October. Every Monday, the parking lot is full of people shopping from local vendors selling farm fresh produce, plants and other local products.
Getting around Topeka, a city in Tornado Valley
From 10th Avenue, residents can either drive or take a Topeka Metro bus 2 miles east to downtown. It’s also a quick drive to Stormont Vail Hospital, which is right there on 10th Avenue. Interstate 70 is about 2 miles north of Elmhurst. It runs west through the whole state and about 60 miles east to Kansas City.
Like any place in Topeka, Elmhurst has the potential to be impacted by severe weather, as the city is located in the Midwest’s “Tornado Valley.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes since 1950 and has not recorded one in Elmhurst since. Topeka also does not have any public tornado shelters.
Elmhurst is just 5 minutes from downtown Topeka and Highway 70.
Jump on the Topeka Metro to get just about anywhere in Elmhurst.
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24/7 Mexican food and a drive-in featured on TV
Elmhurst has a few shopping and dining options on 10th Avenue on the neighborhood’s north side. Mexican Taco Shop, a small regional chain, is a popular counter-serve and drive-thru restaurant open 24/7, known for its Taco Tuesday special. Bobo’s Drive In has been serving its famous root beer, apple pie and burgers at car hops since 1948. The restaurant gained national attention when it was featured on the Food Network’s show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007. For quick shopping trips, locals can head to Dollar General. Einstein’s Outdoor Outfitters, a local sporting goods store, is located right next to it. There’s also a Walmart Neighborhood Market about 1 mile away.
Grab a burger at a restaurant featured in "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" at Bobo's.
Locals enjoy the authentic food at Mexican Taco Shop in Elmhurst.
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
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Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Holliday Park
Washburn Park
Collins Park
Chandler Library Pavilion
Yager Stadium
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Topeka Zoo
Elmhurst Green Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Elmhurst
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Elmhurst Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Elmhurst, Topeka sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Elmhurst, Topeka over the last 12 months is $121,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Hey there! ??Thanks for your interest in Library Park Apartments! ?? We're so excited you're considering making our community your new home! ??Our awesome location at 1037 SW Garfield Ave, Topeka, KS 66604, is super convenient! ???? We're right across from the Topeka Public Library ??, and minutes away from grocery stores ??, gas stations ?, and tons of other shops!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Niki Barber,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has Equal Renters and Owners
Demographics
Total Population
939
Median Age
35
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.3%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$56,874
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,111
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.3%
College Graduates
20.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.4%
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®
73/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
53/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 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.
