Liberal, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Liberal, Kansas had a total population of 19,316, the 23rd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $63,706, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Liberal Quick Facts
How Liberal Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,107 | 19,316 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $61,875 | $63,706 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $134,500 | $137,100 | +1.9% |
How Liberal Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Liberal Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Seward County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kismet | 414 | $60,197 | 12.3% | $109,000 |
Cities Similar to Liberal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 18,397 | $68,885 | $156,400 | 26.2% | 9.7% |
| Hays | 21,143 | $58,459 | $225,500 | 42.7% | 20.1% |
| Junction City | 22,331 | $61,181 | $171,500 | 25.6% | 17.5% |
| Pittsburg | 20,637 | $43,419 | $123,200 | 33.2% | 29.5% |
| Emporia | 24,131 | $52,704 | $132,700 | 24.4% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Liberal is a small city located in Kansas, within Seward County. The total population is 19,316. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Liberal is 30.6 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 30.8% of the population under 18, Liberal has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Liberal is $63,706. This is 14% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $137,100. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Liberal is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Liberal is Hispanic or Latino, making up 69.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.0%) is well below the state average of 72.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (69.1% vs 13.6%).
Education
9.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 71.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Liberal, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Liberal, Kansas?
Liberal, Kansas has a population of 19,316 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Liberal, KS?
The median household income in Liberal is $63,706, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Liberal, KS?
The poverty rate in Liberal is 13.1%. This means approximately 2,491 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Liberal, Kansas?
Liberal's population is 23.0% White, 3.2% Black, 69.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Liberal, KS?
The median home value in Liberal is $137,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Liberal, Kansas?
9.8% of adults (25+) in Liberal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.