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CITY

Liberal

Missouri · 638 residents (2025 est.) · 0.844 sq mi
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The short version

Liberal has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,250. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $77,000. With a median age of 45.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
747
−4%since 2000
from 779 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
885 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 923 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.8
+41%since 2000
from 32.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:638 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5796797798799791990201020202024Liberal
2024747
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,250
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,375 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,057
+167%since 2000
from $11,246 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.1%
+33.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.1%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.431
+21%since 2010
from 0.356 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services17.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration16.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade14.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,000
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$650
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $289 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.1%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
31.9% rent
Vacancy rate
23.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
5.5%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
30.9%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
−14%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
62
RELATED:See current rent listings in Liberal on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(741)
Black0.3%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(9)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.9%(31)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.8%(663)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(20)
Asian0%(0)
Other8.6%(64)
Diversity Score25.5%(191)
Diversity Score
26
+549%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.4%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.7 min
+37%since 2000
from 18.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2011
from 11.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.3%
−6.4 ptssince 2011
from 65.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.6%
−14.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
50.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.5%
−38.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2012
from 19.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.3%
−76.6 ptssince 2013
from 84.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.8%
+30.6 ptssince 2017
from 55.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Liberal to nearby cities

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LIBERAL VS
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LIBERAL VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Liberal, Missouri?

Liberal, Missouri has about 747 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Liberal, Missouri?

The typical household in Liberal, Missouri earns about $65,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Liberal, Missouri expensive?

In Liberal, Missouri, the median home is worth about $77,000, and the typical rent is about $650 a month.

How educated are people in Liberal, Missouri?

About 18.4% of adults age 25 and over in Liberal, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Liberal, Missouri?

About 14.1% of people in Liberal, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Liberal, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Liberal, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 63 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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

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