Developed in the 1950s, Likins Foster is a leafy, suburban-style neighborhood of modest houses right by a busy intersection of stores and restaurants on the south side of Topeka. Affordability is a major factor in why people choose to move here, with the median price for a home being approximately $80,000 below the city median. That has created a nearly 50/50 balance of homeowners and renters, who can all enjoy easy strolls on the neighborhood's flat terrain. "Most homes are on ground-level grades. There aren't too many steps,” says Tyler Johnson, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who sells in the neighborhood. “Because of that, there are quite a few older residents, so it's a good neighborhood to age in."
Residents of Likins Foster come home to ranch-style homes built in the 1950s.
Likins Foster offers modest suburban lifestyle outside a busy intersection of shops & eateries.
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Award-winning flea market and brewery
Southwest 37th Street and Southwest Topeka Boulevard intersect outside the residential area, and are both lined with various stores and restaurants. Residents can get all of their everyday shopping done at Walmart. There are also some local shops like Owls Nest, the largest indoor flea market in Topeka. The store is highly acclaimed across the city, coming in first place for the 2023 Topeka Community's Choice Awards in two different categories: Antique/Coins & Collectibles Store and Consignment/Thrift Store. In the same shopping center, there's a Dollar General and The Giving Tree, a non-profit thrift store. The area has many fast-food restaurants, along with some local establishments like Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant. Blind Tiger, which won Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in 2022, has been a staple brewpub since opening in 1995. Abigail's Grill & Bar is just down the street, offering a more rustic scene where people can sit at the bar and watch sports or play pool. Those in the mood for Mexican food can hit up El Gallo or Gerardo's just across the street.
Locals find treasures at the Owl's Nest, the largest indoor flea market in Topeka.
Prime rib, burnt ends and brews are some favorites at Blind Tiger.
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Affordable ranch-style houses
The neighborhood's winding streets are lined with side-by-side ranch-style houses built in the 1950s on lots of about an eighth of an acre. Homes have leafy, fenced-in backyards that abut with neighboring backyards on all three sides. Attached single-car garages are common for many of these two-to-four-bedroom houses. They can range anywhere from 800 to 1,800 square feet, selling for $80,000 to $180,000. "Prices are below Topeka's average," says Johnson. "So you get a little more house for your money." Median income of the neighborhood is about 57% of the region in general, and the neighborhood's median age is about 34.
Large stretching front lawns lead to ranch homes with one car garages inLikins Foster.
Almost every home in Likins Foster is a ranch style sitting on a quarter acre of land.
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Outdoor fun at two local parks
Likins Foster is home to Brooks Park, named after famous African American poet Gwendolyn Brooks, who was born in Topeka. The park offers a 3-acre field of open space, mature trees and playground equipment. Betty Phillips Park is also just over a mile away and offers an even larger field with a walkway around the perimeter. The park features a tropical-themed playground, a picnic pavilion and two basketball courts, one with a brightly painted mural, hopscotch and four square games created by local artists through the Topeka Mural Project.
Take a stroll on the paved path that weaves through Gwendolyn Brooks Park.
Betty Phillips basketball court painted by artists through the Topeka Mural inspiring youth.
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Education through Topeka Public Schools
Students attend Jardine Elementary School, which is about 1.5 miles away. It earns a C-plus grade and is attached to Jardine Middle School, which earns a B-minus grade. Topeka High is about 4 miles north, closer to downtown, and earns a B grade while being ranked the fourth-most diverse high school in the state. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its elaborate Gothic-style architecture with a 165-foot bell tower inspired by Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. Students may continue their education at Washburn University, just 2.5 miles north of Likins Foster.
Jardine Elementary welcomes students to join school activities.
Jardine Middle School inspires excellence for a lifetime.
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Topeka Metro buses and access to two interstates
Residents can take a Topeka Metro bus from the many bus stops on Southwest 37th Street and Southwest Topeka Boulevard. From Southwest Topeka Boulevard, it's about a 4-mile drive north to downtown, with several traffic lights along the way. Likins Foster is just a mile from the interchange of Interstates 470 and 335. I-470 wraps around the southern section of Topeka, leading to I-70, which runs about 60 miles east to Kansas City. I-335 runs about 130 miles southwest to Wichita. Topeka's airport isn't serviced by commercial carriers, prompting most travelers to head about 70 miles east to Kansas City's airport.
Jump on the Topeka Metro and get around town easily.
Interstates 470 ane 335 are close by for getting around the city.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy O'Brien,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Skyline Park
Big Shunga Park
Felker Park
Yager Stadium
Gage Park
Horne Park
Betty Phillips Park
Gwendolyn Brooks Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Likins Foster
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Likins Foster, Topeka sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Likins Foster, Topeka over the last 12 months is $125,050, up 28% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$124,950
Median Single Family Price
$124,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$116
Last 12 months Home Sales
25
Median List Price
$125,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
28%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
473
Median Year Built
1952
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,106
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,334
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy O'Brien,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,196
Median Age
33
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$29,934
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,590
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.6%
College Graduates
6.7%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.3%
% Population in Labor Force
53%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
51/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
23/ 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.
