Topeka, KS

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2019 Population

232,778

0.207% 1-year decline

US Senator

Jerry Moran

Republican Party

US Senator

Roger Marshall

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

39.9

0% 1-year change

2019 Poverty Rate

11.1%

7.47% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$57,603

2.63% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$133,800

2.37% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

112,007

1.21% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Topeka, KS had a population of 233k people with a median age of 39.9 and a median household income of $57,603. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Topeka, KS declined from 233,260 to 232,778, a −0.207% decrease and its median household income grew from $56,125 to $57,603, a 2.63% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Topeka, KS are White (Non-Hispanic) (78%), White (Hispanic) (7.08%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.48%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.82%), and Other (Hispanic) (2.11%). 0% of the households in Topeka, KS speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

98.1% of the residents in Topeka, KS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Topeka, KS are Washburn University (1,599 degrees awarded in 2019), Washburn Institute of Technology (1,238 degrees), and Rasmussen College-Kansas (190 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Topeka, KS was $133,800, and the homeownership rate was 68%. Most people in Topeka, KS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Topeka, KS was 2 cars per household.

Topeka, KS borders Atchison, KS, Emporia, KS, Junction City, KS, Kansas City, MO-KS, Lawrence, KS, Manhattan, KS, and Ottawa, KS.

United States Kansas

Diversity

Topeka, KS is home to a population of 233k people, from which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2019, 9.06% of Topeka, KS residents were born outside of the country (21.1k people).

In 2019, there were 11 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (181k people) in Topeka, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 16.5k White (Hispanic) and 15.1k 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)
181k ± 84
White (Hispanic)
16.5k ± 966
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
15.1k ± 506

10.3%

Hispanic Population

23.9k people

10.3% of the people in Topeka, KS are hispanic (23.9k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

9.06%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

21.1k people

3.3%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

7.7k people

As of 2019, 9.06% of Topeka, KS residents (21.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 34%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Topeka, KS was 3.3%, 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

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.7

In 2019, the median age of all people in Topeka, KS was 39.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Topeka, KS are getting staying the same age. In 2018, the average age of all Topeka, KS residents was 40.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA 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

98.1%

2019 Citizenship

98.1%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 98.1% 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 98.1%, 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
6,585 ± 382
Gulf War (1990s)
2,707 ± 330
Gulf War (2001-)
2,598 ± 279

Topeka, KS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.43 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 $57,603. In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Topeka, KS was Johnson County, KS with a value of $91,771, followed by Leavenworth County, KS and Douglas County, KS, with respective values of $77,070 and $64,233.

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 112k people. The largest industries in Topeka, KS are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,153 people), Manufacturing (11,666 people), and Retail Trade (11,589 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($97,273), Utilities ($79,583), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,481).

Wages

Median Household Income

$57,603

2019 value

± $1,135

2.63%

1 Year Growth

± 2.74%

Households in Topeka, KS have a median annual income of $57,603, 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 $56,125 in 2018, which represents a 2.63% 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 Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA 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 gender-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 MSA 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)

In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Topeka, KS was Johnson County, KS with a value of $91,771, followed by Leavenworth County, KS and Douglas County, KS, with respective values of $77,070 and $64,233.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

11.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Topeka, KS (25.3k out of 227k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower 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 25 - 34.

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
18,857 ± 921
Hispanic
4,124 ± 494
Black
3,342 ± 422

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

112k

2019 Value

± 2,078

1.21%

1 Year growth

± 2.54%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Topeka, KS grew at a rate of 1.21%, from 111k employees to 112k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Topeka, KS, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,374 people), Management Occupations (10,080 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,495 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 (14,374 people), Management Occupations (10,080 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,495 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Topeka, KS has an unusually high number of residents working as Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.25 times higher than expected), Production Occupations (1.24 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.2 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Topeka, KS, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($68,347), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($64,954), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($60,412).

Industries

Employment by Industries

112k

2019 Value

± 2,078

1.21%

1 Year growth

± 2.54%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Topeka, KS grew at a rate of 1.21%, from 111k employees to 112k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Topeka, KS, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,153 people), Manufacturing (11,666 people), and Retail Trade (11,589 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 (17,153 people), Manufacturing (11,666 people), and Retail Trade (11,589 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Topeka, KS has an unusually high number of Public Administration (1.86 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.85 times), and Finance & Insurance (1.25 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Topeka, KS, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($97,273), Utilities ($79,583), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,481).

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 2018, the top outbound Kansas product (by dollars) was Cereal grains with $30.4B, followed by Mixed freight ($30B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($20.2B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kansas.

$263B

2018 Value in Kansas

$404B

Projected 2045 Value in Kansas

53.5% growth

In 2018, total outbound Kansas trade was $263B. This is expected to increase 53.5% to $404B by 2045.

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
$25.9B
Texas
$23.5B
Nebraska
$17.9B

In 2018, the top outbound Kansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Missouri with $25.9B, followed by Texas with $23.5B and Nebraska and $17.9B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (36.1%), followed by Gary Johnson (4.68%). The most partisan county was Wallace County, KS with 90.4% 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.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.7%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (36.1%)
Democratic Party
Gary Johnson (4.68%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (36.1%), followed by Gary Johnson (4.68%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Kansas

56.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Kansas

Wallace County, KS
90.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Sheridan County, KS
87.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Gove County, KS
84.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Kansas was Wallace County, KS with 90.4% 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 2019, universities in Topeka, KS awarded 3,036 degrees. The student population of Topeka, KS is skewed towards women, with 3,375 male students and 5,020 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Topeka, KS are White (1,722 and 58.1%), followed by Unknown (699 and 23.6%), Hispanic or Latino (250 and 8.44%), and Black or African American (136 and 4.59%).

The largest universities in Topeka, KS by number of degrees awarded are Washburn University (1,599 and 52.7%), Washburn Institute of Technology (1,238 and 40.8%), and Rasmussen College-Kansas (190 and 6.26%).

The most popular majors in Topeka, KS are Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (291 and 9.58%), Registered Nursing (235 and 7.74%), and Home Health Aide (175 and 5.76%).

The median tuition cost in Topeka, KS for a public four year colleges is $8,594 for in-state students and $19,346 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic)
75 degree-majorss awarded
Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant
291 degree-majorss awarded
Home Health Aide
175 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Topeka, KS was Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic) with 75 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Topeka, KS according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Washburn University
1,599 degrees awarded
Washburn Institute of Technology
1,238 degrees awarded
Rasmussen College-Kansas
190 degrees awarded

$8,594

Median In-State Public

In 2019, the Topeka, KS institution with the largest number of graduating students was Washburn University with 1,599 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,151

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,885

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 1,151 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Topeka, KS, which is 0.611 times less than the 1,885 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,722 degrees awarded
Unknown
699 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
250 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Topeka, KS was White students. These 1,722 degrees mean that there were 2.46 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 699 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Topeka, KS was $133,800 in 2019, which is 0.556 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $130,700 to $133,800, a 2.37% increase. The homeownership rate in Topeka, KS is 68%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Topeka, KS have an average commute time of 19.7 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

$133,800

2019 Median

± $2,129

$130,700

2018 Median

± $1,967

In 2019, the median property value in Topeka, KS grew to to $133,800 from the previous year's value of $130,700.

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.

$57,603

Median Household Income

± $1,135

94.7k

Number of Households

± 1,828

In 2019, the median household income of the 94.7k households in Topeka, KS grew to $57,603 from the previous year's value of $56,125.

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

$2k - $3k

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 $2k - $3k range.

Rent vs Own

68%

2019 Homeownership

68.1%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 68% of the housing units in Topeka, KS were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher 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

19.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Topeka, KS have a shorter commute time (19.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.22% 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 (82.5%)
Carpooled (10.4%)
Worked At Home (3.6%)

In 2019, 82.5% of workers in Topeka, KS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.4%) and those who worked at home (3.6%).

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

93.2% of the population of Topeka, KS has health coverage, with 52.5% on employee plans, 11.3% on Medicaid, 12.2% on Medicare, 15.2% on non-group plans, and 2.01% 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 Kansas see 1278 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.31% decrease from the previous year (1295 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1661 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 489 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 state level. Showing data for Kansas.

1,278 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kansas

Primary care physicians in Kansas see an average of 1,278 patients per year. This represents a 1.31% decrease from the previous year (1,295 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kansas 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

6.77%

Uninsured

52.5%

Employer Coverage

11.3%

Medicaid

12.2%

Medicare

15.2%

Non-Group

2.01%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Topeka, KS declined by 11.9% from 7.69% to 6.77%.

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.