These include the Menninger Foundation, the Kansas Neurological Institute, Topeka State Hospital, as well as a VA Hospital and two general hospitals. A total of 140 churches and two synagogues represent over 30 religious denominations in the Topeka area. Topeka is headquarters for many statewide organizations and activities. The State of Kansas is the biggest employer in the area but some of the larger industrial employers include Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Topeka has a climate typical of the Central Plains.
Summers are hot and generally humid.
Winters are moderately cold with occasional arctic outbreaks. Monthly average high temperatures range from 89.6 F in July to 36.3 F in January. It has been as hot as 110 F and as cold as -26 F. Yearly precipitation averages around 34 inches, while winter snowfall averages 21 inches. Numerous cultural activities are found in Shawnee County, including the Topeka Civic Symphony, the Topeka Community Concert Association, Topeka Fine Arts Society, Kansas Museum of History, one dinner theater and more than 20 art galleries and collections. Visiting artists perform a variety of activities at the Topeka Expocenter, including music from rock to opera, the circus and ice shows.