Liberal city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Liberal city is a small city located in Kansas, within Seward County. The total population is 19,107. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Liberal city is 30.9 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, Liberal city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Liberal city is $61,875. This is 15% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $134,500. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Liberal city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Liberal city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 68.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.5%) is well below the state average of 73.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (68.6% vs 13.3%).

Education

10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 70.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Liberal city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.