Liberal, Kansas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Liberal, Kansas is 19,107 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 23rd-largest city in Kansas. The median household income is $61,875, the median home value is $134,500, and the median age is 30.9.
The population has declined 6.7% since 2010 (20,552 → 19,184).
19,107
Population
1590
People / sq mi
$61,875
Median Income
$134,500
Median Home Value
Liberal covers 12.0 sq mi of land at 1590 people per square mile.
About Liberal, KS
Liberal is a city in Kansas with a population of 19,107. It ranks #23 among cities in Kansas by population. The median age is 30.9, younger than the national median. The population is 52.4% male and 47.6% female.
The median household income in Liberal is $61,875, below the US median of $74,580. 12.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $134,500, with monthly rent averaging $931. The homeownership rate of 58.4% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Liberal reflects 10.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 3.1% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 16.0 minutes each way.
Liberal city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Liberal city had a population of 20,552 in 2010 and 19,184 in 2024, a -6.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 20,908 in 2012. Average annual growth rate: -0.48%.
19,184
Population (2024)
20,552
Population (2010)
20,908
Peak (2012)
-0.48%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20,552 |
| 2011 | 20,700 |
| 2012 | 20,908 |
| 2013 | 20,863 |
| 2014 | 20,853 |
| 2015 | 20,833 |
| 2016 | 20,490 |
| 2017 | 19,902 |
| 2018 | 19,601 |
| 2019 | 19,174 |
| 2020 | 19,739 |
| 2021 | 19,653 |
| 2022 | 19,251 |
| 2023 | 19,136 |
| 2024 | 19,184 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 38.1% |
| Black or African American | 3.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$61,875
Median Household Income
$28,688
Per Capita Income
12.2%
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$134,500
Median Home Value
$931
Median Rent
58.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
70.9%
High School+
10.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
76.0%
Public Transit
3.1%
Work From Home
16.0 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.4%
Foreign Born
38.9%
Non-English at Home
2.0%
Veterans
10.1%
With Disability
85.5%
Health Insurance
92.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Manufacturing | 28.9% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 7.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.3% |
| Retail Trade | 4.8% |
| Information | 4.5% |
| Public Administration | 3.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 2.6% |
| Construction | 2.5% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Kansas
Largest counties in Kansas
Part of Kansas
Metro areas in Kansas
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Liberal, Kansas has a population of 19,107 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 23rd-largest city in Kansas.
The median household income in Liberal, Kansas is $61,875, with 12.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Liberal, Kansas is $134,500, with median monthly rent at $931 and a homeownership rate of 58.4%.
The median age in Liberal, Kansas is 30.9 years. The population is 52.4% male and 47.6% female.
The population has declined 6.7% since 2010 (20,552 → 19,184).
More from Kansas
Population 396,488
Population 197,199
Population 154,776
Population 143,720
Population 126,103
Full rankings of Kansas cities by population
Statewide data for Kansas
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Kansas
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.