Topeka is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County, which is named after the Shawnee Indians. It is the fourth most populated city in the state with a population of 122,377 as of the 2000 census. The Topeka Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, Osage, and Wabaunsee counties, has an estimated population of 226,268 in the year 2003.
Three ships of the US Navy have been named USS Topeka in honor of the city.
Legend has it that the name "Topeka" comes from a Native American term for "potatoes" or "a good place to grow or find potatoes."
Topeka is located at 39°2'21" North, 95°41'22" West (39.039200, -95.689508). Topeka is in north east Kansas at the intersection of I-70 and U.S. Highway 75. It is the origin of I-335 which is a portion of the Kansas Turnpike running from Topeka to Emporia, Kansas. Topeka is also located on U.S. Highway 24 and U.S. Highway 40. 40 is co-incident with I-70 west from Topeka.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 147.6 km2 (57.0 mi2). 145.1 km2 (56.0 mi2) of it is land and 2.5 km2 (1.0 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.70% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 122,377 people, 52,190 households, and 30,687 families residing in the city. The population density is 843.6/km2 (2,185.0/mi2). There are 56,435 housing units at an average density of 389.0/km2 (1,007.6/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 78.52% White, 11.71% African American, 1.31% Native )|Pacific Islander, 4.06% from other races, and 3.26% from two or more races. 8.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 52,190 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% are married couples living together, 13.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% are non-families. 35.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.27 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,928, and the median income for a family is $45,803. Males have a median income of $32,373 versus $25,633 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,555. 12.4% of the population and 8.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Topeka, laid out in 1854, was one of the Free State towns founded by Eastern antislavery men immediately after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. In 1857, Topeka was chartered as a city.
The Russell Sage Foundation published the last two books.
Source:
Topeka-USA.com
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