Population 20,483 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Liberal: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Liberal
Household size in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.97 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.11 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.95 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.98 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Liberal are large by national standards, averaging 2.98 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Of the 71 Kansas cities with 5,000+ people, only five have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.1 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.0 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.5 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.7 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.7, Liberal is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.1, as it has nationally. Liberal is younger than at least four in five Kansas cities.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.5% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.9% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.8% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Liberal: 19.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.9 points, even as the national share fell. Of the 71 Kansas cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Liberal
Renters in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.3% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 35.1% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 39.5% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
About four in ten households in Liberal rent their homes (39.5%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Nearly six in ten owners (57.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the northwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.1 points, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.3% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Liberal: 13.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has risen 4.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1969 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Liberal leans a little older: the median home dates to 1975, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $632 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $672 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $813 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $928 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$295 | +$390 | +$606 |
The median renter in Liberal pays $928 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $295 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 23.1% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Liberal
Bachelor's degrees in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.0% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.2% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Liberal have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 10.7%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Liberal has the lowest share of college graduates of any Kansas city with 5,000+ people.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 66.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 65.4% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 66.2% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 68.2% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a third of adults in Liberal never finished high school, well above the national share: only 68.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.7 points, mirroring the country. Liberal has the lowest share of high school graduates of any Kansas city with 5,000+ people.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Liberal
| Period | Liberal | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.3%, unemployment in Liberal is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Kansas as a whole (4.0%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.6 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Liberal compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 2.98 | 33.7 | 19.8% | 39.5% | 13.3% | 1975 | $928 | 10.7% | 68.2% | 5.3% |
| Turpin | 3.48 | 37.9 | 10.1% | 10.9% | 30.2% | 1978 | $881 | 16.4% | 79.2% | 7.2% |
| Tyrone | 3.02 | 37.2 | 2.3% | 10.9% | 23.6% | 1986 | $674 | 21.1% | 56.6% | 8.2% |
| Woods | 3.09 | 41.5 | 4.6% | 17.9% | 26.9% | 1979 | $874 | 18.2% | 81.0% | 2.6% |
| Mocane | 3.24 | 43.2 | 3.5% | 9.6% | 33.7% | 1972 | $679 | 12.9% | 80.2% | 3.7% |
| Forgan | 3.15 | 44.2 | 3.7% | 10.6% | 34.8% | 1971 | $657 | 13.9% | 81.6% | 3.8% |
| Hugoton | 2.76 | 38.0 | 17.8% | 26.8% | 13.4% | 1973 | $969 | 23.9% | 74.5% | 4.1% |
| Rolla | 2.74 | 39.3 | 5.2% | 16.8% | 28.2% | 1970 | $666 | 23.7% | 88.0% | 3.1% |
| Wilburton | 2.68 | 37.8 | 5.1% | 16.7% | 27.2% | 1968 | $616 | 26.0% | 89.2% | 3.5% |
| Englewood | 2.51 | 45.0 | 7.5% | 27.0% | 27.5% | 1944 | $795 | 31.1% | 93.9% | 2.1% |
| Elkhart | 2.58 | 51.3 | 12.9% | 13.5% | 24.3% | 1966 | $632 | 13.0% | 78.0% | 0.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lumberton, TX · Lahaina, HI · Lake Placid, FL · Lake Zurich, IL · West Richland, WA · West Pensacola, FL · Lexington Park, MD · Weirton, WV · Lino Lakes, MN · Live Oak, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Liberal. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.