Liberal is a city located in Seward County, Kansas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,666. It is the county seat of Seward County.
Liberal is located at 37°2'36" North, 100°55'41" West (37.043418, -100.928133).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.0 km2 (11.2 mi2). 28.6 km2 (11.1 mi2) of it is land and 0.4 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.25% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 19,666 people, 6,498 households, and 4,756 families residing in the city. The population density is 686.5/km2 (1,778.4/mi2). There are 7,014 housing units at an average density of 244.9/km2 (634.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 63.56% White, 4.21% African American, 0.72% Native American, 3.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 24.93% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. 43.29% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,498 households out of which 42.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% are married couples living together, 10.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% are non-families. 21.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.96 and the average family size is 3.46.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $36,482, and the median income for a family is $41,134. Males have a median income of $29,315 versus $22,017 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,108. 17.7% of the population and 14.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Agriculture and Energy are the main economic drivers of the area. Hard winter wheat, broom corn, and cattle ranching are the main industries in the area, with milo, alfalfa, sugar beets, and feed stock for cattle and hogs, also being produced. The largest employer in town is beef processing company National Beef Packing, employing around 3,000 workers. Three major feedlots are prominent in town, Lazy EH Feeders, Liberal Feeders and Supreme Feeders. Oil, gas, and helium have also brought in capital to the local economy over the past century.
S. S. Rogers built the first house in what would become Liberal in 1872. Rogers would give water to travelers, who in turn told him something to the effect, 'that is very liberal of you.' In 1885 Rogers built a general store, and with it came an official U.S. Post Office, which needed a name. Rogers named the post office 'Liberal'. After the railroad was built close by, a plat for the town site was created in 1888. A year later the population was around 800.
Drought would cause some farmers to give up and look for more fertile territory. When the Indian Territory was opened, more settlers headed to the cheap land that would become Oklahoma.
Gas was discovered west of town, in what would become part of the massive Panhandle-Hugoton Gas Field, in 1920. Oil would be discovered southwest of town in 1951. In 1963 the largest helium plant in the world, National Helium, was opened.
Source:
LiberalKansas.com
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