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CITY · 2020 ACS

Liberal

Kansas · 19,825 residents · 12.019 sq mi
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The short version

Liberal has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,434. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $111,700. At a median age of 30.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 30.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,825
+1%since 2000
from 19,666 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,649 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 1,636 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
30.3
+5%since 2000
from 28.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K19K20K21K1990201020202024Liberal
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,434
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,482 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,440
+42%since 2000
from $15,108 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.5%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.8%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade26.1%
US avg: 10%
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Construction4.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing3.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$111,700
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$770
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $466 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
39.0% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+29%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Liberal on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic47.6%(9,353)
Black4%(782)
Hispanic / Latino43.3%(8,513)
Asian3.2%(634)
Other0%
Diversity Score70.9%(13,940)
2020
White, non-Hispanic24.3%(4,808)
Black3%(598)
Hispanic / Latino68.1%(13,499)
Asian2.5%(496)
Other2.2%(443)
Diversity Score59.6%(11,809)
Diversity Score
60
−16%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
70.4%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 63.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.8 min
+32%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 70.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.8%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
47.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
29.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.8%
−59.2 ptssince 2013
from 76.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Liberal to nearby cities

LIBERAL VS
Guymon
Income$60,075+24%
Home value$182,000+63%
Population12,241−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LIBERAL VS
Garden City
Income$72,865+50%
Home value$192,000+72%
Population27,402+44%
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LIBERAL VS
Dodge City
Income$68,721+42%
Home value$151,700+36%
Population27,653+45%
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LIBERAL VS
Woodward
Income$54,463+12%
Home value$157,800+41%
Population11,635−39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Liberal, Kansas?

Liberal, Kansas has about 19,825 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Liberal, Kansas?

The typical household in Liberal, Kansas earns about $48,434 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Liberal, Kansas expensive?

In Liberal, Kansas, the median home is worth about $111,700, and the typical rent is about $770 a month.

How educated are people in Liberal, Kansas?

About 9.9% of adults age 25 and over in Liberal, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Liberal, Kansas?

About 13.8% of people in Liberal, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Liberal, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Liberal, Kansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,252 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →