Topeka, Kansas Income Statistics
Topeka Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Topeka Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Topeka | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,927 | $74,287 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,115 | $56,052 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.8% | 4.1% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 11.3% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.8% | 9.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Topeka is about 23% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing slower in Topeka (3.8%/yr) than in Kansas (4.1%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Topeka earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Kansas average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Topeka, Kansas grew by 48.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $56,927 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Topeka
| Metric | Topeka | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.509 | 0.525 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $54,448 | $65,134 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $49,392 | $51,314 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.3% | 21.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Topeka, it is 0.509, lower than Kansas's 0.525, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 10% more than women's income in Topeka, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 10% wage gap accumulates to roughly $176,960 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Topeka, Kansas has narrowed from about 22% to 9% in 2024. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,027 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Topeka | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.6% | 11.8% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 2,829 people are unemployed in Topeka, Kansas.
The average commute time in Topeka is 15 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Topeka, Kansas has fallen from 8.7% to 5.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.5% in 2013 and fell as low as 4.8% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Topeka, Kansas has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Kansas, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Topeka, Kansas.
How Rich Is Topeka, Kansas?
Topeka has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $56,927, about 23% lower than the Kansas average of $74,287.
How fast is household income rising in Topeka, Kansas?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Topeka, Kansas rose 49%, from $38,225 to $56,927. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Kansas as a whole: +49% against +53%.
What was the median household income in Topeka in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Topeka, Kansas was $55,856, up 4% from $53,516 in 2022. The Kansas median that year was $72,660.
What was the median household income in Topeka in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Topeka, Kansas was $48,949. By 2024 it had risen 16% to $56,927.
Is it hard to find a job in Topeka, Kansas?
Unemployment in Topeka, Kansas is 5.1%, well above the Kansas rate of 3.8%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Topeka, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Topeka is 0.509. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Topeka, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Topeka, Kansas has narrowed from about 22% to 9% in 2024. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,027 since 2009.
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