Located in Topeka, Azura Credit Union set a world record in May 2017 by creating the world’s biggest paper basket measuring 12 feet 9 inches high subject to final approval by London-based Guinness Book of World Records.
Topeka serves as headquarters for discount footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource. Other major companies with a presence in Topeka include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Frito-Lay.
Kansas shipped U$10.181 billion worth of goods around the globe during 2016. Highest-value Kansan exports are civilian aircraft, wheat, beef, corn, soya beans and pet food according to United States Census Bureau data.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Topeka was 3.8% as of May 3, 2017.
Capital Facts for Topeka, United States: Quick Reference
Geography
Capital landmarks: Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Cedar Crest, Heartland Park Topeka race track and Ward Meade Park
Famous People
Below, you will find 10 of the most famous people born in Topeka, United States:
- Annette Bening, Academy Award-nominated actress (born May 29, 1958)
- Kerry Livgren, guitarist & songwriter (born Sep. 18, 1949)
- Margaret Murdock, Olympic shooting silver medalist (born Aug. 25, 1942)
- Rich Williams, rock guitarist (born Feb. 1, 1950)
- Aaron Crow, MLB baseball pitcher all-star (born Nov. 10, 1986)
- Anna Seaton, Olympic rowing bronze medalist (born Feb. 12, 1964)
- Chris Barnes, professional bowler (born Feb. 25, 1970)
- Mike McNulty, actor (born Jul. 6, 1988)
- Sue Rose, cartoonist & Fido Dido character (born Jul. 2, 1954)
- Chris Babb, professional basketball player (born Feb. 14, 1990)
Note: Data for our Famous People tab was sourced from Google searches of published Wikipedia articles specific to each person’s name.
Population
Demonym for a Topeka resident: Topekan
Population: 127,265 (Topeka city limits)
Density: 2,115 people per square mile (817 per square kilometer)
Population: 233,068 (Topeka metropolitan area)
Density: 71 people per square mile (27 per square kilometer)
Financial
GDP: US$9.806 billion as of March 2015 (Topeka metropolitan area)
GDP per person: $42,074
Note: The above GDP metrics are on a current basis and are in U.S. dollars.
Official currency used in Topeka: U.S. dollars
Research
Research Sources:
Brookings Institution, Global Metro Monitor Report (includes GDP data). Accessed on June 13, 2017
Dilemma X, U.S. Census Bureau metropolitan population estimates July 1, 2016. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Forbes Global 2000, The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on June 13, 2017
The Topeka Capital-Journal, Topeka credit union seeking to box up Guinness world record for ‘world’s largest paper basket’. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Nations Online, Capital Cities of the USA. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Official Government Website, City of Topeka official website. Accessed on June 13, 2017
United States Census Bureau, Foreign Trade: State by 6-Digit HS Code and Top Countries. Accessed on June 13, 2017
United States Census Bureau, State Population Totals Tables: 2010-2016. Accessed on June 13, 2017
United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: Seasonally Adjusted Metropolitan Area Estimates. Accessed on June 13, 2017
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area, 2015 (Tables Only). Accessed on June 13, 2017
Wikimedia Commons, Topeka city flag. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Wikipedia, Kansas. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Wikipedia, List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Wikipedia, Topeka, Kansas. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Wikipedia, Topeka, Kansas metropolitan area. Accessed on June 13, 2017
Within city limits, Topeka occupies 60.17 square miles (155.84 square kilometers). The state capital’s population was 127,265 Topekans in 2016.
Formally called the Topeka Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Topeka metropolitan area has a land area of 3,290.2 square miles (8,521.5 square kilometers) with a metropolitan area population of 233,068 inhabitants.
At the city level, Topeka’s population density is 2,115 residents per square mile (817 per square kilometer).
Population density dilutes within the larger Topeka metropolitan area with an average 71 inhabitants per square mile (27 per square kilometer).
Topekans celebrate Independence Day as a national holiday each July 4.