Liberal, MO

Missouri

Liberal is a small town in Missouri with a population of 776. Residents earn $53,333 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
776 Population 924/sq mi density
$53,333 Median Income $27,159 per capita
$76,700 Home Value $199,191 Zillow
$680 Median Rent 25.2% income on rent
134 Violent Crime/100K 1,068 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$53,333 median income, 7.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,700 home value, $680/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
134 violent crimes/100K (65% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,333
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $76,700
73% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 134/100K
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.7%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $680
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.6%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.0%
94% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.1%
59% lower than US avg

How Liberal Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population776
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density924/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans11.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,333
Per Capita$27,159
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty5.1%
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,700
Rent$680
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$199,191
Rent Burden25.2%

Crime

F
Violent134/100K
Property1,068/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault134/100K
Burglary267/100K

Health

Obesity38.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI41 (Good)
Elevation906 ft (276 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.7%
High School+90.2%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute25 min
Broadband84.6%

Is Liberal a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Liberal receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Liberal offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Liberal is $53,333, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Liberal is $76,700, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $680 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Liberal is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,068 per 100,000, 46% below the national average.

Education

19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Liberal has a population of 776 with a density of 924 people per square mile. The median age is 40.9 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%), with 5% Hispanic.

Population

776
Total Population
924
People / sq mi
40.9yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Liberal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Liberal vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Liberal is $53,333, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Liberal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,333
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,159

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.0%
94% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.1%
59% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.4 min
Drive Alone82.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Liberal is $76,700, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $680 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $199,191.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$76,700
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$199,191

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$680
42% below US avg
Rent Burden25.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$775
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,265
4 Bedrooms$1,457

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.9%

Property Tax

In Liberal, 38.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.3% report depression. 30.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Liberal vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.6%
20% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.3%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.7%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity30.6%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.6%
Checkup Rate75.5%

Food & Exercise

Liberal has a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, 65% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,068 per 100,000 (46% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Liberal vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent133.5/100K
65% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault133.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,068.1/100K
46% below US avg
Burglary267.0/100K
Theft801.1/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 84.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.7%
42% below US avg
High School+90.2%
School Test Score5.51
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density924/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.6%

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.4 min
Drive Alone82.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

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