Urban community with neighborhood improvement association near downtown
Monroe is an urban community just south of downtown Topeka, across from the Kansas State Capitol building. The north side is more residential, with century-old homes, while the south side has several small industrial shops and an undeveloped patch. Monroe has a history of financial struggles as many homes today are in need of repairs. The Monroe Neighborhood Improvement Association works to boost the community through various initiatives. "They do a lot of neighborhood cleanups," says Todd Huston, the NIA president from 2018 to 2021, who moved to Monroe in 1985. "We'd have Dumpsters brought in, and people would clean out their garages and pick up trash on the streets." The neighborhood is home to the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site. The museum, formally the racially segregated Monroe School, was at the center of the landmark Supreme Court case that ended segregation in public schools. It was where Linda Brown and 12 other Black children attended school when their parents filed the class-action lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education, changing the course of history. A mural across the street from the museum depicts a colorful, integrated nation with civil rights leaders and children of all races. "A local business donated their wall for the mural," says Huston. "The community got together to sketch it out, and local artists came in to finish the work."
Urban community with neighborhood improvement association near downtown
Urban community with neighborhood improvement association near downtown
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Pocket parks and long trails
Monroe has a few pocket parks with playgrounds, including Clyde O'Bracken Park, just outside the Kansas Judicial Center. Cushinberry Park is right behind the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Named after Grant Cushinberry, a Topekan philanthropist who was known for reaching across racial lines, the wooded urban park features a buffalo statue named "Old Bluff." The statue was created in honor of the former Kansas Technical Institute, which opened in 1895 and, at the time, was one of Kansas' two higher education schools for African-Americans. Along with "Old Bluff," the park has a playground and walking paths that lead to the starting point of the Landon Nature Trail, which connects to an extensive system of trails throughout Shawnee County. It intersects with the Shunga Trail on the neighborhood's southside and stretches 38 miles to the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Quenemo.
Pocket parks and long trails
Pocket parks and long trails
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Restaurants on Kansas Avenue
Kansas Avenue is lined with several restaurants. Hanover Pancake House has been a community staple for breakfast and lunch since 1969. Other neighborhood restaurants include Golden Dragon, known for its Chinese buffet, and El Centenario, a popular spot for Mexican food. "El Centenario is busy all the time," says Huston. "They're always packing people in there." The closest grocery stores are Walmart Neighborhood Market and Dillons, both of which are about 3 miles away. Wanamaker Road, Topeka's main commercial corridor, is about 5 miles west and has dozens of retailers.
Restaurants on Kansas Avenue
Restaurants on Kansas Avenue
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Live entertainment at Stormont Vail Events Center
The Stormont Vail Events Center on the south side of Monroe draws people from all over the city. The center frequently features nationally touring musicians, monster-truck rallies, trade shows and more throughout the year. One section of the venue includes the Domer Livestock Arena, which hosts horse shows and other livestock events.
Early 1900s houses
Most houses are on the northwest side of Monroe in a residential pocket between Kansas Avenue and Topeka Boulevard. Common housing styles include Craftsman-style bungalows, American Foursquares and two-story cottages – some with Victorian influences. Many of these two- to four-bedroom homes were built in the early 1900s on approximately 0.13-acre lots. They range anywhere from 700 to 1,800 square feet, selling for $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the size and condition. "I see people willing to pay decent money for houses in the neighborhood and make them better," says Huston. "I bought mine for $35,000 and sold it for $100,000."
Early 1900s houses
Early 1900s houses
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Education through Topeka Public Schools
Most students are zoned to Meadows Elementary School, which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. A few elementary students are also served by Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet School, which earns a C. All students go on to C-plus-graded Robinson Middle School and B-graded Topeka High School. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its 165-foot bell tower and elaborate Gothic-style architecture inspired by Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace.
Education through Topeka Public Schools
Education through Topeka Public Schools
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Access to Topeka Metro buses and I-70
Access to Topeka Metro buses and I-70
Topeka Metro operates bus routes along Topeka Boulevard, 12th Street and Kansas Avenue. Residents have direct access to Interstate 70, which runs about 65 miles east to Kansas City. While Monroe Regional Airport is about 7 miles south, there are no commercial flights. Instead, locals will drive about 72 miles to fly out of Kansas City International Airport.
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
Kylie Edington,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Holliday Park
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Chandler Library Pavilion
Yager Stadium
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Shunga Glen Park
Cushinberry Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Monroe
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Monroe, Topeka sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Monroe, Topeka over the last 12 months is $63,211, down 66% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kylie Edington,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,117
Median Age
43
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$16,926
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$33,235
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.5%
College Graduates
9.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.9%
% Population in Labor Force
40.1%
Significantly 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®
59/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33/ 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.
