City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Liberty, MO

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

30,446
Residents
$95,425
Median income
$267,900
Median home
$1,358
Median rent (state)

Liberty - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Liberty lands in the 75th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

75th
percentile, household income
59th
percentile, home value
51st
percentile, median rent
37th
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: Liberty, MO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 30,446 residents in Liberty, a small city within Missouri. The typical household in Liberty brings in $95,425 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.1%. Home values in Liberty run a median of $267,900, and the median resident age is 37.3 years. 39.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 77 residential building permits were authorized in Liberty (Building Boom), up 93% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Liberty reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1775.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Missouri at 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,358 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $219 across Missouri, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 19.8 minutes, with 79.5% driving alone and 13.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 89.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

30,446 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$95,425 /yr

Poverty 3.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Liberty compare to other US cities?

Where Liberty sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 75% higher than other cities
Home value 59% pricier than other cities
Median rent 51% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% 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 Missouri alone, Liberty ranks #137 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Liberty against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Missouri only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Missouri-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Liberty's strongest outlier among Missouri cities

Among the 833 Missouri cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Liberty ranks #87 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Liberty only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#90 of 842
89th percentile in Missouri
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 875
88th percentile in Missouri
Median Home Value
#87 of 833
90th percentile in Missouri
Poverty Rate
#692 of 875
20th percentile in Missouri
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#88 of 875
90th percentile in Missouri

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Missouri only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

75thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

75th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Liberty's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Liberty'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 52 Avg. percentile National median
Liberty'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 Liberty's home value compares nationally

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

$267,900 41st percentile more affordable than 41% 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%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Liberty $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 - Liberty, MO Liberty, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Liberty, MO-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 Liberty, MO median $95,425/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%
Liberty, MO'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 Liberty, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 39.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.7%

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

Population
30,446
Median Income
$95,425
Median Home Value
$267,900
Median Age
37.3
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor force participation
63.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
39.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1775.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
203.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1571.7
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.

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
30,000 residents30,500 residents31,000 residents31,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 30,210 residents 31,319 residents ▲ +3.7%
Liberty's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
77
housing units authorized
Single-Family
75
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 40
2020 71
2021 257
2022 23
2023 76
2024 77

Permit volume increased 93% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.8 minutes
Drive Alone
79.5%
Carpool
5.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
13.5%
Other
1.0%

Based on 14,682 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri 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 Missouri state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Liberty sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,358/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Ballwin
30,835 people
Raytown
29,593 people
Kirkwood
29,302 people
Mehlville
29,089 people
Maryland Heights
27,981 people
Gladstone
27,069 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Liberty's 30,446 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Princeton, NJ
30,451 people
Redan, GA
30,426 people
Ferry Pass, FL
30,467 people
Parkville, MD
30,423 people
Lafayette, CO
30,471 people
Morrisville, NC
30,471 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Liberty's $95,425 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hartford, SD
$95,426 median income
Chepachet, RI
$95,423 median income
Pueblo West, CO
$95,419 median income
Harrison, ID
$95,417 median income
French Camp, MS
$95,417 median income
Sagaponack, NY
$95,417 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Liberty, MO 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 Liberty, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.2% White 86.3% Black or African American 4.6% Asian 1.7% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Liberty compares to nearby Missouri cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Liberty (this city) 30,446 $95,425
Ballwin 30,835 $121,170
Raytown 29,593 $67,227
Kirkwood 29,302 $117,439
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Liberty, MO?

What is the population of Liberty, MO? +

30,446 people live in Liberty, MO according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Liberty, MO? +

Median annual household income in Liberty runs $95,425, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Liberty? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Liberty; the closest available measure is the Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is Liberty, MO safe? +

Liberty has a total crime rate of 1775.0 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 Liberty, MO? +

Liberty's median home value sits at $267,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.