Tennessee Town is a historically African-American community about a mile from downtown Topeka. After the Civil War, freed slaves from Tennessee migrated west, known as the Exoduster Movement, and settled in Tennessee Town, founded by Benjamin “Pap” Singleton. Over the next century, the community developed and incorporated Tennessee Town Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA), the first of its kind in Topeka . Today, the NIA, local churches and other non-profit organizations work together to revamp the neighborhood. “Our church does a lot of community outreach,” says Sandra Lassiter, secretary of the NIA and a pastor at Faith Temple Church. “We have a day of distributing food, we partner with the Rescue Mission. We’re just all around a community church and the whole community really relies on us.” Many homes are in need of upgrades in Tennessee Town. But through the Topeka Housing Authority and non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and Cornerstone of Topeka, qualified homebuyers can purchase affordable homes that are either newer or refurbished. While Tennessee Town is a historically Black community with descendants of the freed slaves who moved there, Lassiter says, “We have Native Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians and African Americans. We’re probably one of the most diverse communities in Topeka.”
Older and newer homes worked on by non-profits
The neighborhood has nearly 200 houses, most of which were built in the early 1900s. They include primarily American Foursquares, two-story cottages and Craftsman-style bungalows on shaded streets. Many of these homes have wide front porches and are situated on lots of an eighth-acre. Bungalows can be anywhere from 700 to 2,200 square feet, ranging from $70,000 to $180,000. Two-story cottages and American Foursquares offer around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of living space, selling for $80,000 to $190,000. Most of Tennessee Town’s newer homes are bungalows built around 2014, selling for around $150,000 to $170,000.
Recreation in and near Tennessee Town
King's Court Park, at Munson Avenue and Lincoln Street, has two basketball courts and a playground. Gage Park, one of the largest in Topeka, is about 2 miles west. There are lots of fun activities for kids, including a 1-mile miniature train ride, a century-old carousel, the Topeka Zoo and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, featuring hands-on learning activities. Walkways weave throughout the park, taking people over a lake bridge, under canopies of trees and to Reinisch Rose Garden’s reflecting pond and 5,500 rose bushes. People also enjoy visiting the park to play beach volleyball and swim in the outdoor community pool, which features four water slides, high dives, sprinklers and a rope obstacle.
An art fair, basketball tournament and farmers market
Aaron Douglas Art Park isn’t typically used as a traditional park. It hosts the annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair in the fall. The event started in 2006 after a mural was created in honor of the Topeka native and world-renowned African American artist of the Harlem Renaissance. The fair features up to 50 artists showcasing their work, art activities for kids and local food. Neighbors and law enforcement gather every year for National Night Out. The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, which is located in Elmhurst, hosts Monday Farmers Market from May through October. Every Monday, the parking lot is full of people shopping from local vendors selling farm fresh produce, plants and other local products.
Acclaimed drive-in restaurant
There are a few places to shop and dine less than a mile west on Southwest 10th Avenue. For quick shopping trips, locals can head to Dollar General. Einstein’s Outdoor Outfitters, a local sporting goods store, is located right next to it. There’s also a Walmart Neighborhood Market about 2 miles away. Mexican Taco Shop, a small regional chain, is a popular counter-serve and drive-thru restaurant known for its Taco Tuesday special. Bobo’s Drive In has been serving its famous root beer, apple pie and burgers at car-hops since 1948. The restaurant gained national attention when it was featured on the Food Network’s show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007.
Education through Topeka Public Schools
Students attend Lowman Hill Elementary School, a block from the neighborhood and earns a C-plus grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Robinson Middle School, about a half-mile south and also graded a C-plus. Topeka High is about a half-mile mile east and earns a B grade while being ranked the fourth-most diverse public 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.
Topeka Metro buses
From 10th Avenue, residents can either drive or take a Topeka Metro bus 1 mile east to downtown. It’s also a quick drive to Stormont Vail Hospital and its associated medical offices, on 10th Avenue, and University of Kansas Health System's St. Francis Campus is just a few blocks farther. Interstate 70 is accessible from downtown. It runs west through the whole state and about 65 miles east to Kansas City. Though Topeka has a regional airport, it does not operate commercial flights. The closest airport to fly out of is Kansas City International Airport.
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
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Parks in this Area
Holliday Park
Collins Park
Chandler Library Pavilion
Yager Stadium
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Topeka Zoo
Aaron Douglas Park
King's Court Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Tennessee Town
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
5
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 Tennessee Town, Topeka sell after 94 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Tennessee Town, Topeka over the last 12 months is $102,166, up 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$84,500
Median Single Family Price
$89,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$65
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$92,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
8%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
185
Median Year Built
1920
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,322
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,404
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Ringgold,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
626
Median Age
36
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,875
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$34,758
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
79.5%
College Graduates
16.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.4%
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®
75/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
60/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33/ 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.
