County · Kansas
Seward County, Kansas
Seward County, Kansas. Seward County had 21,073 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 5 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 towns and townships) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 20175.
Seward County is the county of the Liberal, KS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,073
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,964 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,486
Median household income
$63,827
±$8,322 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$136,500
±$21,591 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$905
±$62 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Seward County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,964 residents in Seward County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,073 for July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,486 over 640 square miles of land.
| Measure | Seward County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,486 | 2,947,197 | −863 |
| Households | 7,257±261 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.91±0.10 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,308±33 | 1,293,635 | +68 |
Seward County's population since 2000
From 22,510 in 2000 to 21,073 in 2025: down 6.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Seward County?
Seward County holds 5 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Liberal with 19,010 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Liberal | 19,825 | $63,706 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo Township | 1,205 | $61,447 |
| Liberal Township | 699 | $95,526 |
| Kismet | 340 | $60,197 |
| Seward TownshipGEOID 2017564075 | 235 | $54,032 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Seward County?
The median resident of Seward County is 31.0 years old; 30.3% are under 18 and 10.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 67.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 25.1%. 29.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Seward County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.0±0.7 | 37.4 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 30.3%±0.7 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.7%±0.4 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 67.4% | 13.6% | +6.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 25.1%±0.4 pts | 72.7% | −5.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | −1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 29.3%±2.3 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 61.4%±2.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.2%±1.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.5%±2.6 pts | 8.8% | −6.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 71.9%±3.6 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 11.4%±2.4 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.3%±1.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.7%±1.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Seward County earn?
Half of Seward County's 7,257 households earn less than $63,827 a year (±$8,322), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $60,662 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Seward County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,827±$8,322 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,284±$7,181 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,152±$2,589 | $40,978 | +$4,610 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2%±3.6 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.8%±8.1 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±2.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.9%±4.5 pts | 90.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Seward County?
Owners occupy 61.8% of Seward County's occupied homes and renters 38.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $136,500 by its owner (±$21,591). The median renter pays $905 a month including utilities, and 25.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Seward County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $136,500±$21,591 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $905±$62 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.6%±9.6 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,383±$84 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.8%±5.6 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,308±33 | 1,293,635 | +68 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.5%±1.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.9%±5.4 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.5%±4.5 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.0%±2.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.2%±3.1 pts | 15.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Seward County building?
Builders took permits for 20 new housing units across Seward County in 2025 (16 single-family), 0.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Seward County get to work?
80.7% of Seward County's workers drive alone and 3.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Seward County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.4%±2.7 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±2.0 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.7%±3.9 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±3.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±1.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.4%±1.3 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.7 min±2.1 | 19.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Seward County's census tracts?
Seward County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,455 (Tract 9660) to $79,436 (Tract 9657).
| Tract 965620175965600 | 2,170±422 | $64,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 965720175965700 | 4,720±705 | $79,436 |
| Tract 965820175965800 | 4,016±622 | $55,677 |
| Tract 965920175965900 | 6,117±842 | $77,854 |
| Tract 966020175966000 | 4,463±638 | $43,455 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Seward County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 26th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 83rd of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 105 |
| Median household income | 56th of 105 |
| Median home value | 41st of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 39th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 105th of 105 |
| Median age | 103rd of 105 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Seward County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.