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Topeka, KS

Frequently asked questions

Topeka, KS

Topeka is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 126,587. The Topeka metropolitan statistical area, which includes Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, Osage, and Wabaunsee Counties, had a population of 233,870 in the 2010 census.

The city, laid out in 1854, was one of the Free-State towns founded by Eastern antislavery men immediately after the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Bill. In 1857, Topeka was chartered as a city.

The city is well known for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and declared racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional.

Topeka is in north east Kansas at the intersection of I-70 and U.S. Highway 75. It is the origin of I-335 which is a portion of the Kansas Turnpike running from Topeka to Emporia, Kansas. Topeka is also on U.S. Highway 24 (about 50 miles [80 km] east of Manhattan, Kansas) and U.S. Highway 40 (about 30 miles [48 km] west of Lawrence, Kansas). US 40 is coincident with I-70 west from Topeka. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 61.47 sq mi (159.21 km²), of which 1.30 sq mi (3.37 km²) are covered by water.

The name "Topeka" is a Kansa-Osage word that means "place where we dig potatoes", or "a good place to dig potatoes". As a placename, Topeka was first recorded in 1826 as the Kansa name for what is now called the Kansas River. Topeka's founders chose the name in 1855 because it "was novel, of Indian origin, and euphonious of sound." Mixed-heritage Kansa Native American, Joseph James, called Jojim, is credited with suggesting Topeka's name. Along with Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Topeka is one of three state capitals with an indigenous name in a state with an indigenous name.

For many millennia, Native Americans inhabited the Great Plains of North America. From the 16th to the mid-18th centuries, the Kingdom of France laid claim to large parts of North America. In 1762, late in the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded Louisiana west of the Mississippi River to Spain in the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1800, Spain returned Louisiana to France. In 1803, the United States purchased the territory, which included most of the land of modern Kansas, from France for $15 million (~$371 million in 2023).

Health and wellness are integral to the fabric of Topeka's community. The Stormont Vail Health System, a leading healthcare provider, plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Iron & Bronze Fitness, Colaw Fitness and Lionheart Athletic Performance And Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Topeka, such as the Clarion Woods Trail and Shunga Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Topeka, KS are Topeka Zoo, Evel Knievel Museum, Kansas Children's Discovery Center, and Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center.

Population: 125,475 (2023). ZIP code: 66601. Area code: 785. Elevation: 938 ft (286 m). Area: 62.76 sq mi (162.53 km²).

FAQs

What is Topeka, KS famous for?

Topeka has become known for its plethora of extraordinary murals and is a major highlight of the booming arts scene in the city. Among them, The John Steuart Curry murals painted at the state house back in the 1930s were even nominated to be included in the 8 Wonders Of Kansas project. The Great Mural Wall of Topeka at 20th and Western is covered in murals that have been painted by professional artists and residents with no art training.

What are the racial demographics of Topeka, KS?

Topeka is a city located in Douglas County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Osage County, Shawnee County, and Wabaunsee County Kansas. Topeka has a 2024 population of 125,154. The racial composition of Topeka was White: 73.04%, Black or African American: 10.2%, Two or more races: 8.59%, Other race: 5.49%, Asian: 1.84%, Native American: 0.73%, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.11%.

Is Topeka, KS a good place to live?

The capital of Kansas, Topeka, is also an agricultural and industrial center. The city offers a beautiful downtown area and a gorgeous motorsports complex. The economy here is strong, and the commute time is short. Topeka straddles the Kansas River and is surrounded by rolling prairies.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Topeka

Stormont Vail Health System

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department 

Iron & Bronze Fitness

Colaw Fitness 

Lionheart Athletic Performance And Fitness

Clarion Woods Trail 

Shunga Trail

Topeka Zoo

Evel Knievel Museum

Kansas Children's Discovery Center

Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center

iStorage

Movoto

World Population Review

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