City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Liberal, KS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Liberal - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

19,107
Residents
$61,875
Median income
$134,500
Median home
$1,000
Median rent (state)

Liberal - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Liberal places in the 38th percentile for household income and the 49th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
49th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Liberal, KS

19,107 people live in Liberal, Kansas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $61,875 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.2%. Liberal's housing stock carries a median value of $134,500, and the median resident age is 30.9 years. Educational attainment runs 10.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 67.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 14 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 18% from five years earlier. Liberal reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1396.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 55.8°F with 21.1 inches of precipitation per year and 14.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Kansas run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kansas scores 90.1 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,000 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kansas's average monthly utility costs around $217 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 42.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

19,107 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$61,875 /yr

Poverty 12.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Liberal compare to other US cities?

Here's how Liberal stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 49% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Kansas alone, Liberal ranks #50 of 109 Kansas cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Liberal's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kansas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

38thIncome percentile
49thSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 49th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Liberal's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Liberal's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 55 Avg. percentile National median
Liberal's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Liberal's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$134,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Liberal $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Liberal, KS Liberal, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Liberal, KS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Liberal, KS median $61,875/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Liberal, KS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Liberal, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
19,107
Median Income
$61,875
Median Home Value
$134,500
Median Age
30.9
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Labor force participation
67.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1396.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
255.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1140.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.8°F
Annual Precipitation
21.1"
Annual Snowfall
14.4"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,500 residents19,000 residents19,500 residents20,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 19,747 residents 19,010 residents ▼ -3.7%
Liberal's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 19
2021 21
2022 18
2023 12
2024 14

Permit volume decreased 18% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.0%
Carpool
17.1%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
3.1%
Other
1.7%

Based on 8,978 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kansas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$217
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kansas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Liberal sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,000/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
42.3 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Newton
18,443 people
Pittsburg
20,606 people
Hays
21,078 people
Junction City
22,431 people
Andover
15,508 people
Prairie
22,937 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Liberal's 19,107 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kingsland, GA
19,101 people
Prichard, AL
19,121 people
Five Forks, SC
19,093 people
Beltsville, MD
19,086 people
Lakeway, TX
19,130 people
Winchester, KY
19,133 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Liberal's $61,875 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Edmundson Acres, CA
$61,875 median income
Zellwood, FL
$61,875 median income
Jersey, GA
$61,875 median income
West Point, IL
$61,875 median income
St. Joe, IN
$61,875 median income
Brandon, IA
$61,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Liberal, KS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Liberal, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.1% 25.3% 29.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 68.6% White 38.1% Black or African American 3.1% Asian 2.6% American Indian 1.5% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 25.3% Two or more races 29.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Liberal compares to nearby Kansas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Liberal (this city) 19,107 $61,875
Newton 18,443 $67,015
Pittsburg 20,606 $40,220
Hays 21,078 $56,861
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Liberal, KS?

What is the population of Liberal, KS? +

Liberal, KS counts 19,107 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Liberal, KS? +

Median annual household income in Liberal runs $61,875, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Liberal? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Liberal; the closest available measure is the Kansas state average, a cost of living index of 90.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kansas vary by metro area.

Is Liberal, KS safe? +

Liberal has a total crime rate of 1396.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Liberal, KS? +

Homes in Liberal carry a median value of $134,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Liberal? +

Liberal has an average annual temperature of 55.8°F, 21.1 inches of precipitation, and 14.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.