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D

Is Topeka, Kansas Safe?

Population 125,795 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Topeka faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 80% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,716 per 100K.

Topeka Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricTopekaKansas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate452.9316.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2115.02034.11,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate351.0--268.2
Theft Rate1716.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate276.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

256.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

453/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2115/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Topeka

Violent crime in Topeka is above the national average. The rate of 452.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2115.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,716 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 351 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Topeka Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault351
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery90
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary369
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,716
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft276
087% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Topeka Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Topeka
452.9
State
316.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Topeka
2115.0
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Topeka Safety

Is Topeka safe?
Not especially. Topeka earns a D with a crime rate of 256.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Topeka?
256.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 452.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2115.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Topeka safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Topeka's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,716 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Topeka?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Topeka generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Topeka police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Topeka?
No. Crime in Topeka has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Topeka compare to other cities in Kansas?
Below average for the state. Topeka ranks behind about 74% of Kansas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Topeka to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Topeka?
Bad. A D grade and 256.8 per-thousand rate put Topeka below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 453 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Topeka?
452.9 per 100,000, which is 24% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (351), robbery (90), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Kansas

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View all Kansas city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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