| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Topeka/100k people | Kansas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 5,631 | n/a (estimate) | 4,499 | 2,395 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 20 | n/a | 16.0 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 59 | n/a | 47.1 | 44.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 101 | n/a | 80.7 | 30.9 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 892 | n/a | 712.7 | 359.9 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,072 | n/a (estimate) | 857 | 439 | 359 |
| Burglary | 798 | n/a | 637.6 | 261.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 3,135 | n/a | 2,504.9 | 1,458.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 626 | n/a | 500.2 | 236.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,559 | n/a (estimate) | 3,643 | 1,956 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Topeka crime rate is 112.3% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Topeka, there were 1072 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 857 per 100,000 individuals, 138.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, Topeka recorded 4559 property crimes, amounting to 3643 per 100,000 residents, 107% higher than the U.S. average.
In Topeka, the crime rate stands at 4499 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 112.31%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Topeka that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
With a violent crime rate of 857 crimes per 100,000 residents, Topeka is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Topeka ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 117 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Topeka is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 20 murders in Topeka, which equates to 16 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Topeka being a very dangerous place to live.
Topeka has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3643 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Topeka is 1 in 28, which is far higher than the national average.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Topeka is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Topeka reported a total of 626 vehicle thefts, resulting in 500 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 200, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
What do the local residents think about crime in Topeka? Well, based on a recent survey of 208 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 17% of Topeka residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 83% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Topeka, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Topeka presents a total crime rate that is 112% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Topeka experiences an average of 15.43 daily crimes, comprising 2.94 violent incidents and 12.49 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Topeka. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Topeka has decreased by 21.4%. Violent crimes have increased by 19.8%, while property crimes have decreased by 27.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Topeka, 82.9% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In Topeka, the cost of living is 11.71% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
In Topeka, the average rental rates are $1,209 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Topeka | Kansas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 353 | 5,262 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.7 | 2.5 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kansas /100K | National /100K |
| Kansas | 9,632 | 349 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Meriden, KS | 805 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carbondale, KS | 1,468 | 76 | 382 | 459 |
| Silver Lake, KS | 1,491 | 130 | 579 | 709 |
| Auburn, KS | 1,101 | 179 | 798 | 977 |
| Wakarusa, KS | 230 | 301 | 1,342 | 1,643 |
| Ozawkie, KS | 690 | 350 | 1,558 | 1,908 |
| Hoyt, KS | 620 | 492 | 2,192 | 2,684 |
| Topeka, KS | 129,727 | 857 | 3,643 | 4,499 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Abilene, TX | 129,386 | 424 | 1,763 | 2,188 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 130,127 | 182 | 2,502 | 2,684 |
| Simi Valley, CA | 130,307 | 129 | 924 | 1,053 |
| Pearland, TX | 130,314 | 96 | 1,440 | 1,536 |
| Athens, GA | 128,427 | 406 | 2,276 | 2,683 |
| Topeka, KS | 129,727 | 857 | 3,643 | 4,499 |
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