$143,503Average Value$108Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes For Sale
A neighborhood full of creatives and servants
Art and culture are at the center of North Topeka, known locally as NOTO, a growing part of the city just across the Kansas River from downtown. A two-block strip of Kansas Street welcomes the community to the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, where people come to check out the scene of local shops, restaurants and galleries, along with the monthly First Friday Art Walk. Outside this creative enclave is a large industrial presence with manufacturing plants covering the west side of the neighborhood, and subdivisions on the east with modest single-family homes about 70 to more than 100 years old. Some of North Topeka’s houses show signs of the financial hardships some people in the community face. However, there are several services to help those in need. “Our main community outreach is a huge food pantry,” says Pastor Roger Randel of Family of God Church in North Topeka. “We’re serving over 2,000 individuals a month.” The neighborhood is also home to the Topeka Rescue Mission, a non-profit homeless shelter that not only provides a place to eat and sleep but also offers education and assistance in getting people back on their feet.
Locals head to North Topeka's favorite grilled cheese place, The Wheel Barrel.
Fire Me Up Ceramics in North Topeka offers classes in all things clay.
1/2
NOTO Arts and Entertainment District
The NOTO Arts and Entertainment District has grown since the opening of three businesses in 2011. It’s now home to around 50 independent businesses, from art galleries to antique stores and cafes that establish a hip scene of local products. “They’ve done a lot to revitalize the arts district,” says Patrick Dixon, a Realtor with Countrywide Realty. “It’s a small area, but it’s really trendy.” Multi-colored crosswalks and murals pop in this creative community, where string lights dangle over Kansas Avenue from one street lamp to the next. People can park on the street’s diagonal spaces and walk to various restaurants. The Wheel Barrel serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches in a rustic setting and on the outdoor patio. Norsemen Brewing Company also gives off that rustic feel with the bar’s stone walls and is a popular hangout spot, staying open later than most restaurants in the district, other than Odin’s Lair Axe Throwing, where friends can drink and throw axes until midnight on the weekends. Local shopping options include antique stores such as Two Days Monthly Market, Wheat Pennies and Decades Garage. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts can check out local galleries at the NOTO Arts Center and Amused.
There are several places to shop and eat outside the arts district, especially on Topeka Boulevard, home to Pad Restaurant, a staple diner serving the community since 1961. For everyday shopping, Walmart and Dillons are right next to each other just north of Highway 24.
Amused offers local artists gallery space to show and create their artwork.
There are plenty of shopping options in North Topeka on Kansas Ave.
1/2
Recreation at Garfield Community Center
The Garfield Community Center is where many people go for outdoor and indoor activities. It features a grassy field with lots of trees next to Soldier Creek, where visitors can relax. Families can also have fun visiting the park’s playground and outdoor pool, which has a winding water slide and a diving board. The community center building is used for several programs, including after-school activities. It features a basketball gymnasium, computer labs and a game room.
Redbud Park offers an intimate space in the arts district with small patches of grass, sculptures and murals that surround a stage used for the First Friday Artwalk.
The Garfield Park Community Center hosts practices, exercises and drills on the court.
Relax and enjoy art at Redbud Park.
1/2
First Friday Artwalk
Residents from all over Topeka flock to the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District for the First Friday Artwalk. “It’s packed during the summer,” says Randel. “They have food trucks, a live band and local artists displaying their work up and down the street.” As the name suggests, the event is held on the first Friday of every month, though there usually isn’t a band playing at Redbud Park during winter.
Modest single-family homes
North Topeka’s grid-pattern streets are lined with houses mostly built between the late 1800s and mid-1900s. Some of the oldest houses include Victorians and bungalows. Due to their age, many of these homes need some work and can sell for as low as $25,000 to $60,000. Similar homes that are move-in ready, along with midcentury ranch-style houses, generally range from around $75,000 to $200,000. The neighborhood has several empty lots, allowing for some newer construction over the past few decades. These include mostly ranch styles with attached garages built between 2000 and today, ranging from $215,000 to $300,000. Some of these more modern homes have been built in suburban subdivisions just north of Highway 24.
Modern ranches built in the 2000s sell for 215 to 300-thousand.
Large bungalow homes built in the early 1900s line the streets of North Topeka.
1/2
Two school district routes
Students who live south of Soldier Creek, closer to the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, are served by Topeka Public Schools, which earns a B grade from Niche. They start at Quincy Elementary School, which gets a C-plus. They’ll go on to Chase Middle School, also graded a C-plus, and Topeka High, graded a B-plus. The rest of North Topeka is served by the Seaman School District, which earns an A-minus. Seaman students attend Logan Elementary School, graded a B-minus. They’ll head to B-graded Seaman Middle School and B-plus-graded Seaman High School.
Topeka High School was built in 1931 and is best known for its elaborate Gothic-style architecture, including a 165-foot bell tower inspired by Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. The high school’s auditorium, illuminated by 10 chandeliers, is used by the theater department, which won the Outstanding School Award by the Educational Theatre Association in 2023.
Seaman High School is more modern, featuring a freshman wing built in 2008. The high school ranks above average regarding college readiness with nearly a quarter of students in dual-enrollment classes. Dual credit courses are provided through Washburn University for students with a 3.5 GPA, and are half the tuition rate.
After elementary, students may attend Chase Middle School.
Topeka HS Trojan Band is an advanced performance ensemble & will perform at formal concerts.
1/2
Access to Topeka Metro buses, downtown and major highways
Locals can get around by taking a Topeka Metro bus from the main roads. Downtown Topeka is just across the Kansas River, where travelers can hop on Interstate 70. Highway 24 is also nearby on the north side of the neighborhood. Topeka Regional Airport doesn’t offer commercial flights. The closest option for commercial flying is Kansas City International Airport about 75 miles east.
North Topeka is a walk and bike friendly area.
Jump on the Topeka Metro and head downtown from North 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
On average, homes in North Topeka, Topeka sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in North Topeka, Topeka over the last 12 months is $130,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Blank slate opportunity just down the street from the famous Little Russia Chili Parlor. Either rehab this back into its former 1 bedroom glory or move some walls and create a 2 bedroom cash flowing investment property! Newer roof, newer vinyl windows, newer doors, electrical is partially finished. Current floorplan features a large formal living room and dining room, Massive kitchen space and
This two-story home has been fully gutted and is ready for a fresh start—perfect for someone with a vision. With nearly 1,300 square feet of finish-able space, it offers great potential as a rehab-and-flip project, a long-term rental investment, or a sweat equity opportunity for an owner-occupant looking to create their ideal home. The main floor includes a spacious living and dining area that
Great opportunity in North Topeka! This 2-story, 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home offers solid potential for an investor or homeowner looking to update and add value. The property is currently occupied, but tenants will be moving out soon, making it easier to start renovations or move in. The home needs some updates and TLC, but it’s priced accordingly and offers a strong upside for the right buyer.
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.
