:Liberal, Kansas

{{See also|History of Kansas}}

Early settler Seymour S. Rogers built the first house in what would become Liberal in 1872. Rogers became famous in the region for giving free water to thirsty travelers. Reportedly, Liberal gained its name from the common response to his acts of kindness, "That's very liberal of you."[http://www.cityofliberal.com/a_history.htm History: Over One Hundred Years of Being "Liberal"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318001122/http://www.cityofliberal.com/a_history.htm |date=2009-03-18 }} - at City of Liberal.com{{Cite news|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/a-militias-plot-to-bomb-somali-refugees-in-garden-city-ks.html|title=A Militia's Plot to Bomb Somali Refugees in a Kansas Town|last=Pressler|first=Jessica|date=12 December 2017|work=New York Magazine|access-date=2017-12-29|language=en}} In 1885 Rogers built a general store, and with it came an official U.S. Post Office. Rogers named the post office 'Liberal'. After the railroad was built close by, a plan for the town site was created in 1888. A year later the population was around 800.

Drought caused some farmers to give up and look for more fertile territory; however, when the nearby Indian Territory was opened, more settlers headed to the cheap land that would become Oklahoma.

Natural gas was discovered west of town, in what would become part of the massive Panhandle-Hugoton Gas Field, in 1920. Oil was discovered southwest of town in 1951. In 1963 the largest helium plant in the world, National Helium, was opened.

Liberal is located in southwestern Kansas at the intersection of U.S. routes 54 and 83. Liberal is {{convert|140|mi|0}} north-northeast of Amarillo, Texas, {{convert|202|mi|abbr=on}} west-southwest of Wichita, and {{convert|288|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Denver, Colorado.{{cite web | title = City Distance Tool | publisher = Geobytes | url = http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm | access-date = 2010-03-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101005175701/http://geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm | archive-date = 2010-10-05 | url-status = dead }}

The city lies approximately {{convert|10|mi|km}} southwest of the Cimarron River in the High Plains region of the Great Plains.{{cite web | title = 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | year = 2003 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf | access-date = 2011-06-02}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|11.75|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|11.61|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.14|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}

Liberal has a semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) characterized by hot, dry summers, cool, dry winters, and large diurnal temperature variation year-round; relative humidity averages 63%.{{cite journal | last1 = Peel | first1 = M. C. | last2 = Finlayson | first2 = B. L. | last3 = McMahon | first3 = T. A. | date = 2007-03-01 | title = Updated Köppen-Geiger climate classification map | journal = Hydrology and Earth System Sciences | issue = 4 | pages = 439–473 | publisher = Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions | url = http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci-discuss.net/4/439/2007/hessd-4-439-2007.pdf | access-date = 2012-01-25}}{{cite web | title = Historical Weather for Liberal, Kansas, United States of America | publisher = Weatherbase | url = http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=2137&refer=&units=us | access-date = 2010-02-28}} On average, January is the coldest month, July is the hottest month, February is the driest month and June is the wettest month.{{cite web | url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USKS0332 | title = Average weather for Liberal, KS | access-date = 2014-01-14 | publisher = The Weather Channel}}

The high temperature reaches or exceeds {{convert|90|°F|0}} an average of 80.1 days a year and {{convert|100|°F|0}} an average of 16.5 days. The minimum temperature falls to or below {{convert|0|°F|1}} on an average of 1.6 days a year. The highest temperature recorded in Liberal was {{convert|114|°F|1}} on June 10, 1981; the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-20|°F|1}} on February 27, 1930.

{{Weather box

|location = Liberal, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 85

|Feb record high F = 90

|Mar record high F = 93

|Apr record high F = 103

|May record high F = 106

|Jun record high F = 114

|Jul record high F = 113

|Aug record high F = 111

|Sep record high F = 108

|Oct record high F = 99

|Nov record high F = 90

|Dec record high F = 85

|Jan avg record high F = 71.2

|Feb avg record high F = 77.2

|Mar avg record high F = 85.2

|Apr avg record high F = 90.8

|May avg record high F = 96.6

|Jun avg record high F = 101.7

|Jul avg record high F = 104.5

|Aug avg record high F = 101.8

|Sep avg record high F = 99.2

|Oct avg record high F = 93.0

|Nov avg record high F = 79.8

|Dec avg record high F = 70.6

|year avg record high F = 105.6

|Jan high F = 47.6

|Feb high F = 51.0

|Mar high F = 60.7

|Apr high F = 69.6

|May high F = 78.7

|Jun high F = 88.8

|Jul high F = 93.2

|Aug high F = 91.2

|Sep high F = 83.9

|Oct high F = 71.5

|Nov high F = 58.3

|Dec high F = 47.4

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 33.7

|Feb mean F = 36.6

|Mar mean F = 45.5

|Apr mean F = 54.2

|May mean F = 64.2

|Jun mean F = 74.6

|Jul mean F = 79.1

|Aug mean F = 77.4

|Sep mean F = 69.5

|Oct mean F = 56.8

|Nov mean F = 43.4

|Dec mean F = 34.1

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 19.7

|Feb low F = 22.2

|Mar low F = 30.3

|Apr low F = 38.7

|May low F = 49.8

|Jun low F = 60.3

|Jul low F = 65.1

|Aug low F = 63.6

|Sep low F = 55.0

|Oct low F = 42.2

|Nov low F = 28.6

|Dec low F = 20.8

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 5.5

|Feb avg record low F = 9.0

|Mar avg record low F = 14.7

|Apr avg record low F = 26.0

|May avg record low F = 37.7

|Jun avg record low F = 50.9

|Jul avg record low F = 57.9

|Aug avg record low F = 57.0

|Sep avg record low F = 42.3

|Oct avg record low F = 27.5

|Nov avg record low F = 14.1

|Dec avg record low F = 6.4

|year avg record low F = 0.1

|Jan record low F = -19

|Feb record low F = -20

|Mar record low F = -12

|Apr record low F = 10

|May record low F = 20

|Jun record low F = 38

|Jul record low F = 48

|Aug record low F = 40

|Sep record low F = 29

|Oct record low F = 8

|Nov record low F = -2

|Dec record low F = -15

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.47

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.40

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.20

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.80

|May precipitation inch = 2.66

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.31

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.20

|Aug precipitation inch = 2.72

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.53

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.29

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.73

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.80

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 2.2

|Feb precipitation days = 2.3

|Mar precipitation days = 3.8

|Apr precipitation days = 5.1

|May precipitation days = 6.1

|Jun precipitation days = 6.8

|Jul precipitation days = 7.0

|Aug precipitation days = 6.5

|Sep precipitation days = 4.1

|Oct precipitation days = 3.8

|Nov precipitation days = 2.7

|Dec precipitation days = 2.8

|Jan snow inch = 3.5

|Feb snow inch = 1.8

|Mar snow inch = 2.3

|Apr snow inch = 0.4

|May snow inch = 0.1

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.7

|Nov snow inch = 1.0

|Dec snow inch = 4.6

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 1.7

|Feb snow days = 1.4

|Mar snow days = 1.1

|Apr snow days = 0.2

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.3

|Nov snow days = 0.5

|Dec snow days = 1.6

|Jan snow depth inch =

|Feb snow depth inch =

|Mar snow depth inch =

|Apr snow depth inch =

|May snow depth inch =

|Jun snow depth inch =

|Jul snow depth inch =

|Aug snow depth inch =

|Sep snow depth inch =

|Oct snow depth inch =

|Nov snow depth inch =

|Dec snow depth inch =

|year snow depth inch =

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00144695&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Liberal, KS

|access-date = November 27, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ddc

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Dodge City

|access-date = November 27, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

| 1900 = 426

| 1910 = 1716

| 1920 = 3613

| 1930 = 5294

| 1940 = 4410

| 1950 = 7134

| 1960 = 13813

| 1970 = 13862

| 1980 = 14911

| 1990 = 16573

| 2000 = 19666

| 2010 = 20525

| 2020 = 19825

| estyear = 2023

| estimate = 18999

| estref = {{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = [https://web.archive.org/web/20060208103743/http://www.census.gov:80/prod/www/abs/decennial/ U.S. Decennial Census]
2010–2020

}}

The 2020 United States census counted 19,825 people, 6,618 households, and 4,771 families in Liberal.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} The population density was 1,734.5 per square mile (669.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 7,389 housing units at an average density of 646.5 per square mile (249.6/km{{sup|2}}).{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}} The racial makeup was 38.79% (7,690) white or European American (24.25% non-Hispanic white), 3.31% (657) black or African-American, 2.47% (489) Native American or Alaska Native, 2.59% (514) Asian, 0.03% (6) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 28.82% (5,714) from other races, and 23.98% (4,755) from two or more races.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} Hispanic or Latino of any race was 68.09% (13,499) of the population.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}

Of the 6,618 households, 44.7% had children under the age of 18; 48.4% were married couples living together; 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 23.2% of households consisted of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.9 and the average family size was 3.5.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 6.6% of the population.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}

30.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 101.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $48,434 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,385) and the median family income was $54,167 (+/- $9,562).{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} Males had a median income of $34,371 (+/- $2,664) versus $26,005 (+/- $1,722) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,586 (+/- $1,873).{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} Approximately, 10.1% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those ages 65 or over.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Liberal%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}

As of the 2010 census,{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau}} there were 20,525 people, 6,623 households, and 4,838 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,832.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,118 housing units at an average density of {{convert|641.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 68.6% White, 3.7% African American, 2.9% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 20.6% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 58.7% of the population.{{cite web | title = U.S. Census website | publisher = United States Census Bureau | url = https://www.census.gov | access-date = 2011-08-30}}

There were 6,623 households, of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a male householder with no wife present, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03, and the average family size was 3.54.

The median age was 28.4 years. 32.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.8% were from 25 to 44; 19.4% were from 45 to 64; and 8.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city population was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,247, and the median income for a family was $44,167. Males had a median income of $31,435 versus $25,208 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,668. About 15.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 19,666 people, 6,498 households, and 4,756 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,778.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,014 housing units at an average density of {{convert|634.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 63.56% White, 4.21% African American, 0.72% Native American, 3.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 23.93% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. 43.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,498 households, out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,482, and the median income for a family was $41,134. Males had a median income of $29,315 versus $22,017 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,108. About 14.3% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

File:Grain elevator, Liberal, KS IMG 6000.JPG in Liberal (2010)]]

{{see also|Golden Triangle of Meat-packing}}

Energy and agriculture are the main economic drivers of the area. Natural resources include oil, natural gas, water, gravel and sand. The beef industry (ranches, feed lots and packing plants) is Liberal's largest source of employment. Hard winter wheat, corn, milo, alfalfa and cotton are common crops. Trucking is a major industry. Dairies and pork processors are a growing business.

{{As of|2012}}, 70.2% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force. 0.0% was in the armed forces, and 70.2% was in the civilian labor force with 63.4% being employed and 6.9% unemployed. The composition, by occupation, of the employed civilian labor force was: 28.5% in production, transportation, and material moving; 20.0% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance; 19.9% in sales and office occupations; 18.9% in management, business, science, and arts; and 12.6% in service occupations. The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: manufacturing (24.4%); educational services, health care, and social assistance (19.4%); and retail trade (10.5%).

The cost of living in Liberal is relatively low; compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index for the city is 80.8.{{cite web | title = Liberal, Kansas | publisher = City-Data.com | url = http://www.city-data.com/city/Liberal-Kansas.html | access-date = 2014-01-14}} {{As of|2012}}, the median home value in the city was $85,600, the median selected monthly owner cost was $961 for housing units with a mortgage and $383 for those without, and the median gross rent was $648.

According to Liberal's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top 10 employers in the city are:{{Cite web |url=http://chooseliberal.com/profile/56/labor-market |title=Labor Market; City of Liberal. |access-date=2017-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313153804/http://chooseliberal.com/profile/56/labor-market |archive-date=2017-03-13 |url-status=dead }}

File:Baker Arts Center, Liberal, KS IMG_6001.JPG

Liberal is famous for its annual Pancake Day race that is held in competition with the town of Olney, United Kingdom for the fastest time between both cities.{{cite news |title=Olney, England narrowly beats Liberal, Kan. in Pancake Day Race |url=https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Olney-England-narrowly-beats-Liberal-Kan-in-Pancake-Day--568193491.html |access-date=22 December 2021 |work=KWCH |date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211222163857/https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Olney-England-narrowly-beats-Liberal-Kan-in-Pancake-Day--568193491.html |archive-date=22 December 2021 |language=en}}

File:Adventure Bay Water Park, Liberal, KS IMG 5977.JPG

Liberal has a water park known as Adventure Bay.

The fifth largest collection of civilian and military aircraft in the United States is located at the Mid-America Air Museum. Started with a gift of fifty planes by General Tom (Thomas) Welch, Jr., the museum has more than one hundred aircraft.[http://www.cityofliberal.com/airmuseum/index.html Mid-America Air Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509144501/http://www.cityofliberal.com/airmuseum/index.html |date=2008-05-09 }} - at CityofLiberal.com

The Coronado Museum has items from the Native Americans that lived in the area, as well as items from Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's expedition to the area in 1541, and the history of farming and ranching in the county in more recent times.[http://www.sewardcountymuseum.com/ Seward County Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815112725/http://www.sewardcountymuseum.com/ |date=2009-08-15 }}

Liberal is home to "The Land of Oz" exhibit from The Wizard of Oz, a recreation of Dorothy Gale's house and the famed Yellow Brick Road, featuring donated bricks bearing the names of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and Liza Minnelli (Judy Garland's daughter). This exhibit was originally designed and displayed for Topeka in 1981, but relocated here eleven years later by its creator Linda Windler.{{cite web |url=http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/customsresults.php?id=215 |title=The 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs - A Kansas Sampler Foundation Project |website=www.kansassampler.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516165950/http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/customsresults.php?id=215 |archive-date=2012-05-16}}

Liberal Memorial Library is located on North Kansas Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets in Cooper Park. The Book Front entrance was completed in April 1955 and designed by the building's architect George L. Pitcher. Wheeler Williams, a sculptor from New York, signed an agreement in October 1960 to mold the "Pioneer Mother of Kansas." This six foot statue, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. D. K. Baty, was to be erected in Cooper Park on Memorial Day, May 30, 1961. It was placed opposite of the "Statue of Liberty," which was donated and placed in Cooper Park by the Boy Scouts of America.

The Liberal Bee Jays, a semi-professional baseball team, have won five national championships and 13 state championships. The Bee Jays have been coached by three major league managers and have sent 165 players to the major leagues.[https://www.cityofliberal.org/197/Bee-Jays-Semi-Pro-Baseball Liberal Bee Jays]

File:Liberal, KS, Chamber of Commerce IMG_5990.JPG

Liberal has a commission-manager government with a city commission consisting of five members elected at-large. Elections occur every two years in the odd numbered year, and commissioners serve two-year or four-year terms depending on the number of votes they receive. Each year, the commission appoints a member to serve as mayor and another to serve as vice-mayor.{{cite web | title = City Commissioners | publisher = City of Liberal | url = http://www.cityofliberal.com/g_commissioners.htm | access-date = 2010-06-05 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100219091022/http://www.cityofliberal.com/g_commissioners.htm | archive-date = 2010-02-19 }} The city manager heads the city administration.{{cite web | title = City Administration | publisher = City of Liberal | url = http://www.cityofliberal.com/g_administration.htm | access-date = 2010-06-05 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100219091016/http://www.cityofliberal.com/g_administration.htm | archive-date = 2010-02-19 }}

• Seward County Community College

The community is served by Liberal USD 480 public school district, which operates twelve schools in the city:{{cite web |title=USD 480 Schools |publisher=Unified School District 480 |url=http://www.usd480.net/schools/ |access-date= 2010-05-26}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

• Bright Start Pre-K Center (Pre-K)
• Cottonwood Elementary School (K–5)
• MacArthur Elementary School (K–5)
• Meadowlark Elementary School (K–5)
• Prairie View Elementary School (K–5)
• Sunflower Intermediate School (K–5)

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• Eisenhower Middle School (6–8)
• Seymour Rogers Middle School (6–8)
• Liberal High School (9–12)

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There is also a Christian school in Liberal: Fellowship Baptist School (K–12).{{cite web |title=City of Liberal, Education, Schools, Colleges |publisher=City of Liberal |year=2008 |url=http://www.cityofliberal.com/c_education.htm |access-date=2010-05-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409220739/http://cityofliberal.com/c_education.htm |archive-date=2010-04-09}}

{{main|Media in Liberal, Kansas}}

Four newspapers are published in Liberal. The Leader & Times is the city's main daily newspaper, published six days a week.{{cite web | title = Record Details - Leader & Times | publisher = Kansas Press Association | url = http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=3298 | access-date = 2013-07-14}} It is the result of the merger between the city's two previous dailies, the High Plains Daily Leader and the Southwest Daily Times.{{cite web | title = Liberal Leader & Times | publisher = Mondo Times | url = http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/us/16/927/22008 | access-date = 2013-07-14}} The publisher of the Leader & Times also prints a weekly Spanish language paper, El Lider.{{cite web | title = Record Details - El Lider | publisher = Kansas Press Association | url = http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=3300 | access-date = 2013-07-14}} Seward County Community College publishes a bi-weekly student newspaper, the Crusader.{{cite web | title = Record Details - Crusader | publisher = Kansas Press Association | url = http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=1757 | access-date = 2013-07-14}} The fourth paper is the Liberal Light, published weekly.{{cite web | title = Record Details - Liberal Light | publisher = Kansas Press Association | url = http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=1258 | access-date = 2013-07-14}}

Liberal is a center of broadcast media for southwest Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Two AM and seven FM radio stations are licensed to and broadcast from the city.{{cite web|title=AMQ AM Radio Database Query |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |url=http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html |access-date=2013-07-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825063614/http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html |archive-date=August 25, 2009 }}{{cite web|title=FMQ FM Radio Database Query |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |url=http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html |access-date=2009-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825071957/http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html |archive-date=August 25, 2009 }} Liberal is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market,{{cite web | title = TV Market Maps - Kansas | publisher = EchoStar Knowledge Base | url = http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif | access-date = 2013-07-14 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726000406/http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif | archive-date = 2011-07-26 }} and one television station broadcasts from the city: KSWE-LD, a sister station of KDGL-LD in Sublette, Kansas.{{cite web | title = Digital TV Market Listings | publisher = RabbitEars.info | url = http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php | access-date = 2013-07-14}}

On cable, viewers can receive stations from the Wichita/Hutchinson market (via semi-satellite stations in Garden City/Ensign), PBS' Tulsa affiliate, KOED, as well as Amarillo, Texas's CBS affiliate, KFDA-TV.

U.S. Route 83 runs north–south along the east side of the city, intersecting U.S. Route 54 which runs northeast-southwest. In addition, Liberal is the western terminus of U.S. Route 270 which runs concurrently with U.S. 83 south from the city.

Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport is immediately west of the city.{{cite web |title=General Highway Map - Seward County, Kansas |publisher=Kansas Department of Transportation |date=2009-01-01 |url=http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/county-pdf/seward.PDF |access-date=2011-06-02}} Publicly owned, it has two operative paved runways and is used primarily for general aviation.{{cite web |title=KLBL - Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport |publisher=AirNav.com |url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/KLBL |access-date=2011-06-02}} United Express provides airline service with daily flights to Denver.{{cite web|url=http://www.penair.com/destinations/liberal-ks|title=PenAir Midwest Destinations|access-date=2017-02-16}}

The Tucumcari Line of the Union Pacific Railroad runs parallel to U.S. 54 northeast–southwest through the city.{{cite web |title=UPRR Common Line Names |publisher=Union Pacific Railroad |url=http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/attachments/upcomnam.pdf |access-date=2010-06-05}}

The City Bus provides fixed-route and dial-a-ride transit services Monday through Friday.{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofliberal.org/208/City-Bus|title=City Bus|access-date=July 21, 2023}}

{{See also|Seward_County_Community_College#Notable_alumni|l1=List of Seward County Community College people}}

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Liberal include:

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• Wayne Angell (born 1930), economist{{cite web |title=Wayne D. Angell |publisher=U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission |url=http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/tdrc/members/angell.html |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Chris Brown, college football coach{{cite web |title=Chris Brown Named Head Coach of Fort Hays State Football |publisher=Fort Hays State University |date=2010-12-10 |url=http://fhsuathletics.com/news/2010/12/10/FB_1210102228.aspx?path=football |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Lamar Chapman (born 1976), NFL and CFL player{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/chap00740.html |title=LAMAR CHAPMAN |publisher=profootballarchives.com |access-date=November 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627124019/http://www.profootballarchives.com/chap00740.html |archive-date=June 27, 2015 }}
• Wantha Davis (1917–2012), horse racing jockey{{cite web |title=Girl Jockey: Wantha Davis - Timeline |url=http://www.girljockey.com/timeline.htm |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Kasey Hayes (born 1985), professional bull rider{{cite web |title=Kasey Hayes |publisher=Professional Bull Riders |url=http://www.pbrnow.com/riders/index.cfm?ID=2879 |access-date=2011-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625230030/http://www.pbrnow.com/riders/index.cfm?ID=2879 |archive-date=2011-06-25 }}
• Kristin Key (born 1980), comedian{{cite web|title=Kristin Key |work=Last Comic Standing |publisher=NBC |url=http://www.nbc.com/Last_Comic_Standing/comics/kristin_key.shtml |access-date=2011-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601232810/http://www.nbc.com/Last_Comic_Standing/comics/kristin_key.shtml |archive-date=2013-06-01 }}
• Shalee Lehning (born 1986), Women's National Basketball Association guard{{cite web |title=Shalee Lehning |work=WNBA Draft 2009 - Prospect Search |publisher=Women's National Basketball Association |url=http://www.wnba.com/draft2009/profiles/prospect_lehning_shalee.html |access-date=2011-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204200432/http://www.wnba.com/draft2009/profiles/prospect_lehning_shalee.html |archive-date=2012-02-04 }}
• M. C. Leist (1942–2022), Oklahoma state legislator[https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/24508/m-c-leist Votesmart.org.-M.C. Leist]
• Martin Lewis (born 1975), National Basketball Association forward{{cite web |title=Martin Lewis |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lewisma01.html |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Laura Gibbs Maczka, mayor, Richardson, Texas{{cite news |title=Laura Gibbs Maczka |newspaper=Dallas Morning News |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/richardson-lake-highlands/headlines/20130512-election-results-richardson-elects-mayor-place-4-trustee.ece |access-date=2013-05-12}}

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• Kelli McCarty (born 1969), 1991 Miss Kansas USA and Miss USA, actress{{cite web |title=Kelli McCarty |publisher=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565410/ |access-date=2011-08-11}}
• Jerrod Niemann (born 1979), country music singer/songwriter{{cite web |last=Leggett |first=Steve |title=Jerrod Niemann - Biography |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p880844/biography |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Kelly Overton, animal rights activist and author
• Melvin Sanders (born 1981), professional basketball guard/forward{{cite web |title=Melvin Sanders |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sandeme01.html |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• William Stafford (1914–1993), poet{{cite web |title=William Stafford |publisher=University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Center for Great Plains Studies |url=http://www.unl.edu/plains/publications/resource/stafford.shtml |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Doug Terry (born 1968), National Football League defensive back{{cite web |title=Doug Terry |publisher=Scottish Claymores |url=http://www.claymores.co.uk/team/players/1997/terry38.php |access-date=2011-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070811210055/http://www.claymores.co.uk/team/players/1997/terry38.php |archive-date=2007-08-11 }}
• Dallas Trahern (born 1985), Major League Baseball pitcher{{cite web |title=Dallas Trahern |website=Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=traher001dal |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Jerame Tuman (born 1976), National Football League tight end{{cite web |title=Jerame Tuman |publisher=National Football League |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=TUM059326 |access-date=2011-06-02}}
• Larry D. Welch (born 1934), U.S. Air Force General{{cite web|title=General Larry D. Welch |publisher=United States Air Force |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7543 |access-date=2011-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414001039/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7543 |archive-date=2010-04-14 }}

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• B. H. Fairchild wrote the poem, "At the Excavation of Liberal, Kansas" (in: The Art of the Lathe, Alice James Books, 1998), in memory of William Stafford; it contains Stafford's poem, "What I Heard Whispered at the Edge of Liberal, Kansas" (from: Stories That Could Be True: New and Collected Poems, Harper and Row, 1977).
• In the film National Lampoon's Vacation, Clark W. Griswold suggests altering the family's route of travel in order to visit Liberal so they can see the world's largest house of mud. The idea is rejected by his wife, Ellen, in favor of getting to her cousin Eddie's home.{{cite web |title= National Lampoon's Vacation script |url= http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/NL_Vacation.pdf |website= Dailyscript |date= |access-date= April 30, 2022}}
• Season 4, Episode 9 of Fargo is set in Liberal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/rabbi-and-satchel-end-up-in-no-place-like-home-on-a-gra-1845681338|title=Rabbi and Satchel end up in no place like home on a gray Fargo}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Kansas}}

{{Kansas books}}

{{See also|Seward County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Seward County, Kansas}}

{{Commons category|Liberal, Kansas}}

{{wikivoyage|Liberal (Kansas)|Liberal, Kansas}}

• {{Official website|https://www.cityofliberal.org/}}

{{Seward County, Kansas}}

{{Kansas}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Kansas

Category:County seats in Kansas

Category:Cities in Seward County, Kansas

Category:Micropolitan areas of Kansas