Topeka, KS Demographics

A map of Topeka's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	81,862	81,243	65.1%	64.2%
Hispanic	21,304	20,749	16.9%	16.4%
Black	10,713	12,574	8.5%	9.9%
Multiracial	8,638	8,216	6.9%	6.5%
Asian	1,937	2,043	1.5%	1.6%
Native American/Other	1,332	1,762	1.1%	1.4%

Topeka, Kansas has an estimated population of 125,786, a less than 1% change from the 126,587 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.1% White, 16.9% Hispanic, 8.5% Black, 6.9% Multiracial, 1.5% Asian, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Topeka, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Topeka has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Kansas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Topeka, that probability was 54.7% in 2020 and 53.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Topeka is ranked the 5th most populous place in Kansas, out of 740 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Topeka was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Topeka's White Population

81,862 residents of Topeka, or 65.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Topeka is lower than in Kansas overall, where 72.7% of the population is White. Topeka ranks 696th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Topeka's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Topeka's population has increased from 64.2% to 65.1%.

Topeka is less White than neighboring Tecumseh (88.4% White), Grantville (100% White), Wakarusa (100% White), Silver Lake (92.4% White), and Auburn (88.1% White).

Topeka's Black Population

10,713 residents of Topeka, or 8.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Topeka is slightly higher than in Kansas overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Topeka ranks 12th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Topeka's Black population has declined by an estimated 14.8%. Black residents' share of Topeka's population has decreased from 9.9% to 8.5%.

Topeka is more Black than neighboring Tecumseh (0% Black), Grantville (0% Black), Wakarusa (0% Black), Silver Lake (0% Black), and Auburn (0% Black).

Topeka's Asian Population

1,937 residents of Topeka, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Topeka is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Topeka ranks 61st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Topeka's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.2%. Asian residents' share of Topeka's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Topeka is more Asian than neighboring Tecumseh (0% Asian), Grantville (0% Asian), Wakarusa (0% Asian), Silver Lake (0% Asian), and Auburn (1% Asian).

Topeka's Hispanic Population

21,304 residents of Topeka, or 16.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Topeka is slightly higher than in Kansas overall, where 13.6% of the population is Hispanic. Topeka ranks 61st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Topeka's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Topeka's population has increased from 16.4% to 16.9%.

Topeka is more Hispanic than neighboring Tecumseh (2.6% Hispanic), Grantville (0% Hispanic), Wakarusa (0% Hispanic), Silver Lake (6% Hispanic), and Auburn (3.7% Hispanic).

Topeka's Native American/Other Population

1,332 residents of Topeka, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Topeka is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Topeka ranks 191st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Topeka's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Topeka's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Topeka is more Native American/Other than neighboring Tecumseh (0% Native American/Other), Grantville (0% Native American/Other), Wakarusa (0% Native American/Other), Silver Lake (0.2% Native American/Other), and Auburn (0.4% Native American/Other).

Topeka's Multiracial Population

8,638 residents of Topeka, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Topeka is slightly higher than in Kansas overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Topeka ranks 164th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Topeka's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Topeka's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.9%.

Topeka is more Multiracial than neighboring Grantville (0% Multiracial), Wakarusa (0% Multiracial), Silver Lake (1.4% Multiracial), and Auburn (6.7% Multiracial). Topeka is less Multiracial than neighboring Tecumseh (9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.