Topeka, KS

Census Place

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2019 Population

126,397

0.378% 1-year decline

US Senator

Jerry Moran

Republican Party

US Senator

Roger Marshall

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

37.7

2.17% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

14.4%

9.4% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$47,999

2.37% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$103,200

0.585% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

60,722

1.93% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Topeka, KS had a population of 126k people with a median age of 37.7 and a median household income of $47,999. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Topeka, KS declined from 126,877 to 126,397, a −0.378% decrease and its median household income grew from $46,890 to $47,999, a 2.37% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Topeka, KS are White (Non-Hispanic) (67.9%), White (Hispanic) (10.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (10.2%), Other (Hispanic) (3.53%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.52%). 0% of the households in Topeka, KS speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

96.8% of the residents in Topeka, KS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Topeka, KS are Washburn University (1,612 degrees awarded in 2020), Washburn Institute of Technology (940 degrees), and Rasmussen College-Kansas (284 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Topeka, KS was $103,200, and the homeownership rate was 56.3%. Most people in Topeka, KS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Topeka, KS was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Kansas State Capitol Building

Photo by Doug Kerr

United States Kansas Shawnee County, KS Topeka, KS Topeka City PUMA, KS Shawnee (Outside Topeka City), Osage, Jackson, Brown & Wabaunsee Counties PUMA, KS

Diversity

Topeka, KS is home to a population of 126k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2019, 5.1% of Topeka, KS residents were born outside of the country (6.44k people).

In 2019, there were 6.48 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (85.9k people) in Topeka, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.2k White (Hispanic) and 12.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Topeka, KS

White (Non-Hispanic)
85.9k ± 817
White (Hispanic)
13.2k ± 1.01k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
12.9k ± 644

15.4%

Hispanic Population

19.5k people

15.4% of the people in Topeka, KS are hispanic (19.5k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Topeka, KS as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.1%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

6.44k people

5.1%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

6.47k people

As of 2019, 5.1% of Topeka, KS residents (6.44k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Topeka, KS was 5.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Topeka, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.5

In 2019, the median age of all people in Topeka, KS was 37.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 37, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Topeka, KS are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Topeka, KS residents was 37.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Kansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
84,130 ± 7,017 people
India
14,053 ± 2,903 people
Vietnam
10,675 ± 2,532 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kansas was Mexico, the natal country of 84,130 Kansas residents, followed by India with 14,053 and Vietnam with 10,675.

Citizenship

96.8%

2019 Citizenship

96.7%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 96.8% of Topeka, KS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Topeka, KS was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Topeka, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,224 ± 321
Gulf War (1990s)
1,390 ± 252
Gulf War (2001-)
1,265 ± 241

Topeka, KS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.32 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Kansas. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Kansas, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Kansas. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kansas.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Kansas across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Topeka, KS is $47,999. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Topeka, KS was Census Tract 36.05 with a value of $94,599, followed by Census Tract 34 and Census Tract 36.07, with respective values of $88,495 and $86,746.

Males in Kansas have an average income that is 1.41 times higher than the average income of females, which is $45,721. The income inequality in Kansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.458, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Topeka, KS employs 60.7k people. The largest industries in Topeka, KS are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,828 people), Manufacturing (6,739 people), and Retail Trade (6,500 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($96,591), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,536), and Utilities ($62,634).

Wages

Median Household Income

$47,999

2019 value

± $1,296

2.37%

1 Year Growth

± 4.25%

Households in Topeka, KS have a median annual income of $47,999, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $46,890 in 2018, which represents a 2.37% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Topeka, KS compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Kansas.

$64,354

Average Male Salary in Kansas

± $1,958

$45,721

Average Female Salary in Kansas

± $1,400

In 2019, full-time male employees in Kansas made 1.41 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Kansas by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Kansas.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Kansas

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$56,139 ± $74,364
Asian
$52,393 ± $7,262
White
$49,769 ± $1,226

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Kansas workers was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. These workers were paid 1.07 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Kansas.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Kansas by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Topeka, KS is from Kansas.

0.458

2019 Wage GINI in Kansas

0.46

2018 Wage GINI in Kansas

In 2019, the income inequality in Kansas was 0.458 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.47% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 36.05
Census Tract 34
Census Tract 36.07

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Topeka, KS was Census Tract 36.05 with a value of $94,599, followed by Census Tract 34 and Census Tract 36.07, with respective values of $88,495 and $86,746.

The following map shows all of the places in Topeka, KS colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Topeka, KS (17.6k out of 122k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 45 - 54.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
12,031 ± 784
Hispanic
3,598 ± 480
Black
3,239 ± 417

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Topeka, KS is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

60.7k

2019 Value

± 1,658

1.93%

1 Year growth

± 3.73%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Topeka, KS grew at a rate of 1.93%, from 59.6k employees to 60.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Topeka, KS, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,671 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,377 people), and Management Occupations (4,645 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Topeka, KS.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Topeka, KS, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,671 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,377 people), and Management Occupations (4,645 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Topeka, KS has an unusually high number of residents working as Material Moving Occupations (1.43 times higher than expected), Production Occupations (1.27 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.22 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Topeka, KS, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($71,250), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($58,549), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($58,289).

Industries

Employment by Industries

60.7k

2019 Value

± 1,658

1.93%

1 Year growth

± 3.73%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Topeka, KS grew at a rate of 1.93%, from 59.6k employees to 60.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Topeka, KS, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,828 people), Manufacturing (6,739 people), and Retail Trade (6,500 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Topeka, KS, though some of these residents may live in Topeka, KS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Topeka, KS, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,828 people), Manufacturing (6,739 people), and Retail Trade (6,500 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Topeka, KS has an unusually high number of Public Administration (1.92 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (1.28 times), and Utilities (1.27 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Topeka, KS, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($96,591), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,536), and Utilities ($62,634).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kansas to other states, or from other states to Kansas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kansas product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $20.2B, followed by Meat/seafood ($16.7B) and Live animals/fish ($13.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kansas.

$229B

2020 Value in Kansas

$406B

Projected 2050 Value in Kansas

76.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kansas trade was $229B. This is expected to increase 76.8% to $406B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kansas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kansas to other states, or from other states to Kansas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Missouri
$20.1B
Nebraska
$14.7B
Texas
$14.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Kansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Missouri with $20.1B, followed by Nebraska with $14.7B and Texas and $14.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kansas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.23%). The most partisan county was Wallace County, KS with 93.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing the state of Kansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Topeka, KS. Showing the available data for Kansas.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.23%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.23%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Kansas.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Kansas

56.2% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Kansas

Wallace County, KS
93.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Sheridan County, KS
88.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Ness County, KS
88.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Kansas was Wallace County, KS with 93.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Kansas colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Kansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Jerry Moran

Senator from Kansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Roger Marshall

Senator from Kansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing Kansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Kansas

Kansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Topeka, KS awarded 2,844 degrees. The student population of Topeka, KS is skewed towards women, with 3,002 male students and 4,709 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Topeka, KS are White (1,649 and 59.3%), followed by Unknown (551 and 19.8%), Hispanic or Latino (265 and 9.53%), and Black or African American (151 and 5.43%).

The largest universities in Topeka, KS by number of degrees awarded are Washburn University (1,612 and 56.7%), Washburn Institute of Technology (940 and 33.1%), and Rasmussen College-Kansas (284 and 9.99%).

The most popular majors in Topeka, KS are Registered Nursing (305 and 10.7%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (131 and 4.61%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (123 and 4.32%).

The median tuition cost in Topeka, KS for a public four year colleges is $8,652 for in-state students and $19,656 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Marketing & Marketing Management
44 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
183 degree-majorss awarded
Other Health & Medical Administrative Services
76 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Topeka, KS was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 44 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Topeka, KS according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Washburn University
1,612 degrees awarded
Washburn Institute of Technology
940 degrees awarded
Rasmussen College-Kansas
284 degrees awarded

$8,652

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Topeka, KS institution with the largest number of graduating students was Washburn University with 1,612 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

1,115

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,729

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 1,115 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Topeka, KS, which is 0.645 times less than the 1,729 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Topeka, KS by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,649 degrees awarded
Unknown
551 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
265 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Topeka, KS was White students. These 1,649 degrees mean that there were 2.99 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 551 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Topeka, KS was $103,200 in 2019, which is 0.429 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $102,600 to $103,200, a 0.585% increase. The homeownership rate in Topeka, KS is 56.3%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Topeka, KS have an average commute time of 16.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Topeka, KS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$103,200

2019 Median

± $2,971

$102,600

2018 Median

± $2,559

In 2019, the median property value in Topeka, KS grew to to $103,200 from the previous year's value of $102,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Topeka, KS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Topeka, KS the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$47,999

Median Household Income

± $1,296

53.8k

Number of Households

± 1,499

In 2019, the median household income of the 53.8k households in Topeka, KS grew to $47,999 from the previous year's value of $46,890.

The following chart displays the households in Topeka, KS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Topeka, KS distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Topeka, KS the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

56.3%

2019 Homeownership

56.6%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 56.3% of the housing units in Topeka, KS were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Topeka, KS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

16.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Topeka, KS have a shorter commute time (16.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 0.837% of the workforce in Topeka, KS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Topeka, KS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (81.4%)
Carpooled (10.9%)
Worked At Home (2.89%)

In 2019, 81.4% of workers in Topeka, KS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.9%) and those who worked at home (2.89%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Topeka, KS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Topeka, KS have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

91.7% of the population of Topeka, KS has health coverage, with 48.7% on employee plans, 14.3% on Medicaid, 11.7% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 2.09% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Kansas was $7,651 in 2014. This is a 2.99% increase from the previous year ($7,429).

Primary care physicians in Shawnee County, KS see 1305 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.81% decrease from the previous year (1371 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1512 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 281 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Elk County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (22.5%). Additionally, Osage County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Shawnee County, KS.

1,305 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Shawnee County, KS

Primary care physicians in Shawnee County, KS see an average of 1,305 patients per year. This represents a 4.81% decrease from the previous year (1,371 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Shawnee County, KS in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

$7,651

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Kansas

$4,855

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,736

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,126

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Kansas (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 2.99%, from $7,429 to $7,651.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

8.28%

Uninsured

48.7%

Employer Coverage

14.3%

Medicaid

11.7%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

2.09%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Topeka, KS declined by 13.4% from 9.56% to 8.28%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Topeka, KS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.