College Hill is one of Topeka's most established communities, located on the north side of Washburn University. Of the nearly 500 homes, almost 300 are considered to be historic and remain preserved, giving College Hill an old-time feel. The neighborhood dates back to 1880 when it was developed by the university's president, Peter McVicar, to house professors and staff. Though the neighborhood is relatively flat, it's about 40 feet higher than downtown, so it appeared rather hilly back in the 1800s, influencing the name "College Hill." McVicar is credited with the planting of now-mature trees that provide shade and natural beauty to College Hill, making it a popular place for people to go for casual strolls on the sidewalks. What sets College Hill apart is its connected community and determination to maintain the neighborhood. Sue Fackler, a resident since the 1970s and a longtime board member of the College Hill Neighborhood Association, says, "We have a lot of community civic volunteers and elected officers. The mayor used to live next door to me. We have City Council members who live within the neighborhood. We just have a lot of go-getters that want to be involved in making the neighborhood and the city better."
Recreation and events at Boswell Square Park
Boswell Square Park is the heart of College Hill's outdoor recreation and community events. But that likely would have never happened if the community hadn't stuck together. The park used to be the site of a junior high school in the 1980s. When the building was demolished, a developer wanted to put in houses, which didn't sit well with the community. "It would have ruined the character of the neighborhood," says Fackler. "We started a petition, brought it to a City Council zoning meeting, told them we wanted it to be a green space, and we won. Westminster Presbyterian Church across the street built a parking lot to go with the park. So, it's just a wonderful example of a partnership between the neighborhood, school board, city officials, church and neighbors. It's the way it's supposed to work."
The park, which occupies about two neighborhood blocks, includes a playground, basketball court and a field. There's also a gazebo and a tree-lined walkway around the park's perimeter.
The park has several benches with dedications and a brick Wall of Fame to honor neighbors who helped create it. Every second Sunday of October, the neighborhood holds a Wall of Fame induction, followed by a homes tour, where residents open their doors to the community. The neighborhood also celebrates Fourth of July each year with a parade. Fackler says, "We have a band made up of neighbors. All the kids decorate their bikes, their dogs and their outfits. We carry a humongous American flag at the front of the parade that takes about 20 people to hold. It's like the signature part of the parade." Following the parade, the community enjoys festivities at Boswell Square Park, which includes food, games and turtle races.
Diverse, historic houses on tree-lined streets
Houses in College Hill were built between the late 1800s and 1940s in a variety of architectural styles, so no two houses are the same. Their originality is documented by the National Registry of Historic Places. "Recently, I was out watering my flowers, and a road worker came up to me and said he loved my house and wanted to live in it," says Fackler. "So people really appreciate the beauty of the homes in this neighborhood." Homebuyers can find Craftsman-style bungalows, Victorian-style homes with wrap-around porches, Colonial Revivals and English-style cottages and Tudors all blended together along the neighborhood's tree-lined streets. Situated on approximately eighth-of-an acre lots, these diverse, historic homes, vary in size and price. Houses with 1,000 to 1,900 square feet of living space generally have two to four bedrooms and range from $60,000 to $200,000. Larger, 2,000 to 4,500-square-foot homes with three to five bedrooms sell for around $200,000 to $360,000.
Topeka Public Schools and Washburn University
Students attend Randolph Elementary, about a half-mile west, and Robinson Middle, about a half-mile east, both graded a C-plus by Niche. They'll go on to Topeka High, which is about 1.5 miles northeast, closer to downtown, and graded a B. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its elaborate Gothic-style architecture, including a 165-foot bell tower inspired by Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. Just as the neighborhood was intended, many Washburn University professors live in College Hill, along with students living at home, according to Fackler. The public university offers more than 200 academic programs and competes in NCAA Division II sports. It also puts on several performing arts productions throughout the year, while the Topeka Symphony Orchestra utilizes the university's White Concert Hall for monthly performances as well.
Local coffee shops and Mexican restaurants
Southwest 17th Street separates Washburn University from College Hill and is where neighbors and college students go to hit up local restaurants. Both Coffee Bar and Circle Coffee Co. are popular cafes with indoor and outdoor seating. There's also Margarita's Jalisco and Fuzzy's Taco Shop for those in the mood for Mexican food. The closest shopping options are about 4 miles west, where West Ridge Mall and dozens of big box retailers are located on Wanamaker Road.
2 miles to downtown
While no bike lanes exist in the neighborhood, crosswalks on four-lane Southwest 17th Street connect directly with bike lanes on the Washburn University Campus. Walking or cycling from the north end of the neighborhood to points on the southern end of the campus is about a 1 mile trip. Topeka Metro operates buses along Southwest 17th Street and Southwest Washburn Avenue with routes all over the city, including downtown, about 2 miles away. Interstate 70 runs through downtown, leading west throughout Kansas and about 60 miles east to Kansas City. While Topeka has a regional airport, there are no commercial flights. Those who want to fly head to Kansas City International Airport, about 73 miles away.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Parks in this Area
Holliday Park
Washburn Park
Collins Park
Romig Park
Chandler Library Pavilion
Yager Stadium
Gage Park
Westboro Park
Topeka Zoo
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
College Hill
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in College Hill, Topeka sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in College Hill, Topeka over the last 12 months is $152,325, down 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$149,250
Median Single Family Price
$152,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$91
Last 12 months Home Sales
24
Median List Price
$150,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
19%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
489
Median Year Built
1922
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,799
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,719
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
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Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,377
Median Age
33
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,364
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,515
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
42.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.8%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
72/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
30/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
