Liberty, Kansas

Liberty, Kansas
City
Location within Montgomery County and Kansas
KDOT map of Montgomery County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°09′23″N95°35′52″W / 37.15639°N 95.59778°W / 37.15639; -95.59778 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Montgomery
Founded	1869
Platted	1869
Incorporated	1884
Area [2]
• Total	0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
• Land	0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	755 ft (230 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	99
• Density	400/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67351
Area code	620
FIPS code	20-40250
GNIS ID	2395701 [1]

Liberty is a city in Montgomery County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 99. ^[3]

History

Liberty was laid out in 1869 about six miles southeast of Independence, Kansas. It is named for the popular American ideal of liberty. ^[4] When the railroad was built through the county in 1870, Liberty relocated to its present site. ^[5] The first post office in Liberty was established in May 1870. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.26 square miles (0.67 km²), all of it land. ^[7]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Liberty has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	93		—
1890	344		269.9%
1900	314		−8.7%
1910	385		22.6%
1920	247		−35.8%
1930	246		−0.4%
1940	254		3.3%
1950	185		−27.2%
1960	233		25.9%
1970	185		−20.6%
1980	174		−5.9%
1990	140		−19.5%
2000	95		−32.1%
2010	123		29.5%
2020	99		−19.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 99 people, 46 households, and 30 families in Liberty. ^{[9] [10]} The population density was 394.4 per square mile (152.3/km²). There were 55 housing units at an average density of 219.1 per square mile (84.6/km²). ^{[10] [11]} The racial makeup was 80.81% (80) white or European American (77.78% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.0% (0) from other races, and 19.19% (19) from two or more races. ^[12] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.03% (3) of the population. ^[13]

Of the 46 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 43.5% were married couples living together; 32.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 28.3% of households consisted of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[10] The average household size was 1.7 and the average family size was 2.5. ^[14] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 0.0% of the population. ^[15]

28.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. ^[10] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 102.9 males. ^[10]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $65,556 (with a margin of error of +/- $38,298). ^[16] Females had a median income of $27,083 (+/- $12,192). The median income for those above 16 years old was $38,500 (+/- $20,231). ^[17] Approximately, 15.4% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of 18 and 25.0% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[18] [19]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[20] of 2010, there were 123 people, 58 households, and 36 families residing in the city. The population density was 473.1 inhabitants per square mile (182.7/km²). There were 69 housing units at an average density of 265.4 per square mile (102.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White, 1.6% Native American, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 58 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.72.

The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 30.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[21] of 2000, there were 95 people, 50 households, and 29 families residing in the city. The population density was 369.0 inhabitants per square mile (142.5/km²). There were 62 housing units at an average density of 240.8 per square mile (93.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.26% White, 1.05% African American, 8.42% Native American, and 5.26% from two or more races.

There were 50 households, out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.52.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.8% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $32,500. Males had a median income of $26,667 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,917. There were 9.4% of families and 13.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 33.3% of under eighteens and 8.3% of those over 64.

Education

The community is served by Coffeyville USD 445 public school district.

In Film

The Wes Anderson film The French Dispatch (2021) references and has scenes that takes place in the town, although not filmed on location. The character Arthur Howitzer Jr. played by Bill Murray was from Liberty. ^[22]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Liberty, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Liberty, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 186.
5. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. p. 152.
6. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
8. Climate Summary for Liberty, Kansas
9. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
10. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
11. Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
12. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
13. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
16. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
22. Strader, Stacie (February 11, 2020). "Wes Anderson movie title mentions a southeast Kansas town". KOAM News Now. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Montgomery County, Kansas

External links

• Liberty - Directory of Public Officials
• Liberty city map, KDOT