Liberal, KS

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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    2024 Population
    21,486
    US Senator
    Jerry Moran
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Roger Marshall
    Republican Party
    2024 Poverty Rate
    12.2%
    5.88% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $63,827
    2.5% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $136,500
    1.87% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    10,045
    3.8% 1-year decline

    About

    None of the households in Liberal, KS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    83.8% of the residents in Liberal, KS are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Liberal, KS are Seward County Community College (497 degrees awarded in 2024).

    In 2024, the median property value in Liberal, KS was $136,500, and the homeownership rate was 61.8%.

    Most people in Liberal, KS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 14.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Liberal, KS was 2 cars per household.

    Liberal, KS borders Guymon, OK.

    United StatesKansas

    Population & Diversity

    Liberal, KS is home to a population of 21.5k people, from which 83.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 29.3% of Liberal, KS residents were born outside of the country (6.29k people).

    In 2024, there were 1.28 times more Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents (6.89k people) in Liberal, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.39k White (Non-Hispanic) and 4.94k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    83.8%
    2024 Citizenship
    82%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 83.8% of Liberal, KS residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Liberal, KS was 82%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Liberal, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Liberal, KS
    1. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      6.89k ± 799
    2. White (Non-Hispanic)
      5.39k ± 94
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      4.94k ± 1.07k
    67.4%
    Hispanic Population
    14.5k people

    In 2024, there were 1.28 times more Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents (6.89k people) in Liberal, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.39k White (Non-Hispanic) and 4.94k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    67.4% of the people in Liberal, KS are hispanic (14.5k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Liberal, KS as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Kansas.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      84,373 ± 7,029 people
    2. India
      14,412 ± 2,940 people
    3. Vietnam
      10,201 ± 2,475 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kansas was Mexico, the natal country of 84,373 Kansas residents, followed by India with 14,412 and Vietnam with 10,201.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    29.3%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    6.29k people
    28.7%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    6.21k people

    As of 2024, 29.3% of Liberal, KS residents (6.29k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Liberal, KS was 28.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Liberal, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      139 ± 72
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      52 ± 58
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      32 ± 31

    Liberal, KS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.67 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Liberal, KS.

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    Health

    87.5% of the population of Liberal, KS has health coverage, with 50.1% on employee plans, 15.5% on Medicaid, 8.85% on Medicare, 12.2% on non-group plans, and 0.788% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Kansas see 1,285 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,285 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1583 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 395 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 52.3% were men and 47.7% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.
    1,285 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kansas

    Primary care physicians in Kansas see an average of 1,285 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,285 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kansas in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 31.6% under 18 years, 23.2% between 18 and 34 years, 34.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.4% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 52.3% were men and 47.7% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    12.5%
    Uninsured
    50.1%
    Employer Coverage
    15.5%
    Medicaid
    8.85%
    Medicare
    12.2%
    Non-Group
    0.788%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Liberal, KS declined by 9.89% from 13.9% to 12.5%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Liberal, KS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Economy

    The economy of Liberal, KS employs 10k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Liberal, KS were Manufacturing (2,756 people), Retail Trade (1,171 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,030 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,833), Transportation & Warehousing ($67,965), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($67,847).

    Employment

    Occupations

    10k
    2024 Value
    ± 898
    −3.8%
    1 Year decline
    ± 12.8%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Liberal, KS declined at a rate of −3.8%, from 10.4k employees to 10k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Liberal, KS, are Production Occupations (1,944 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,063 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (820 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Liberal, KS.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    10k
    2024 Value
    ± 898
    −3.8%
    1 Year decline
    ± 12.8%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Liberal, KS declined at a rate of −3.8%, from 10.4k employees to 10k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Liberal, KS, are Manufacturing (2,756 people), Retail Trade (1,171 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,030 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Liberal, KS, though some of these residents may live in Liberal, KS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $54,769
    Median earning men ± $4,125
    $35,799
    Median earning women ± $3,916

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($77,930), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($68,485), and Construction ($66,280).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($61,125), Wholesale Trade ($43,800), and Manufacturing ($41,364).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.
    Y-Axis
    3.11%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.44M people employed in Kansas. This represents a 3.11% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kansas.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 44
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    2. 34
      Retail Trade
    3. 30
      Health Care and Social Assistance

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $314k
      Manufacturing
    2. $52.9k
      Transportation and Warehousing
    3. $51.6k
      Health Care and Social Assistance

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (41%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.23%).

    Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing the state of Kansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Kansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Liberal, KS. Showing the available data for Kansas.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (57.2%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (41%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.23%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (41%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.23%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Kansas

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.
    Jerry Moran
    Senator from Kansas3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2011
    Roger Marshall
    Senator from Kansas2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2021

    Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing Kansas.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Kansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Liberal, KS awarded 497 degrees. The student population of Liberal, KS in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 910 male students and 1,182 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Liberal, KS are Hispanic or Latino (336 and 69.3%), White (96 and 19.8%), Unknown (28 and 5.77%), and Black or African American (15 and 3.09%).

    The largest universities in Liberal, KS by number of degrees awarded are Seward County Community College (497 and 100%).

    The most popular majors in Liberal, KS are Liberal Arts & Sciences (115 and 23.1%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (72 and 14.5%), and Truck, Bus, & Commercial Vehicle Operator & Instructor (54 and 10.9%).

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    In 2024 there were 2,092 students enrolled in Liberal, KS, 43.5% men and 56.5% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 1,294 records, of which 57% were women and 43% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Liberal Arts & Sciences
      115 degrees awarded
    2. Registered Nursing
      30 degrees awarded
    3. Clinical Laboratory Technician
      14 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Liberal, KS was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 115 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Liberal, KS according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Seward County Community College
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    497 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Seward County Community College with 497 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    In 2024, 194 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Liberal, KS, which is 0.64 times less than the 303 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 336 degrees mean that there were 3.5 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 96 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Public, 2-year ($2,496) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,664) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,460) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Liberal, KS was $136,500 in 2024, which is 0.41 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $134,000 to $136,500, a 1.87% increase. The homeownership rate in Liberal, KS is 61.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Liberal, KS have an average commute time of 14.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Liberal, KS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    Housing

    Property

    $136,500
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$21,591
    $4,485
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$547

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Liberal, KS the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Liberal, KS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    61.8%
    Homeownership
    2024
    67.3%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 61.8% of the housing units in Liberal, KS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61.2%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Liberal, KS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $63,827
    Median Household Income
    ± $8,322
    7.26k
    Number of Households
    ± 748

    In 2024, the median household income of the 7.26k households in Liberal, KS grew to $63,827 from the previous year's value of $62,269.

    The following chart displays the households in Liberal, KS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Liberal, KS is from Kansas.
    0.459
    2024 Wage GINI in Kansas
    0.458
    2023 Wage GINI in Kansas

    In 2024, the income inequality in Kansas was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.185% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Kansas was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kansas in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Kansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (80.7%)
    2. Carpooled (12%)
    3. Worked At Home (3.38%)

    In 2024, 80.7% of workers in Liberal, KS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12%) and those who worked at home (3.38%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    14.7 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Liberal, KS have a shorter commute time (14.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.49% of the workforce in Liberal, KS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Liberal, KS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Liberal, KS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Liberal, KS have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    12.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Liberal, KS (2.58k out of 21.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males < 5 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Liberal, KS is Hispanic, followed by Two Or More and White.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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