Jump to content

Liberal, Kansas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JBradley Bot (talk | contribs) at 16:31, 4 January 2013 (Adding current population estimate, possibly some formatting, and possibly a bug fix to % of households with children. (automatic)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Liberal, Kansas
City
Welcome sign on U.S. Route 83
Welcome sign on U.S. Route 83
Location of Liberal, Kansas
Location of Liberal, Kansas
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountySeward
Founded1888
Incorporated1888
Government
 • MayorTim Long
Area
[1]
 • Total11.75 sq mi (30.43 km2)
 • Land11.61 sq mi (30.07 km2)
 • Water0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2)
Elevation
2,835 ft (864 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total20,525
 • Estimate 
(2011[3])
20,861
 • Density1,767.9/sq mi (682.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
67901, 67905
Area code620
FIPS code20-39825Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0470667Template:GR
WebsiteCityOfLiberal.org

Liberal is the county seat of Seward County, Kansas, United States.Template:GR As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,525.[4]

History

Early settler S. S. Rogers built the first house in what would become Liberal in 1872. Rogers became famous in the region for giving water to weary travelers. Reportedly, Liberal gained its name from the common response to his acts of kindness, "That's very liberal of you."[5] 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.[5]

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.[5]

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.[5]

Geography

2005 KDOT map of Seward County, Kansas showing Liberal and surrounding communities

Liberal is located at 37°2′36″N 100°55′41″W / 37.04333°N 100.92806°W / 37.04333; -100.92806 (37.043418, -100.928133) at an elevation of 2,835 feet (864 m).Template:GR It lies approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the Cimarron River in the High Plains region of the Great Plains.[6] Located in southwestern Kansas at the intersection of U.S. Route 83 and U.S. Route 54, Liberal is 140 miles (230 km) north-northeast of Amarillo, 202 miles (325 km) west-southwest of Wichita, and 288 miles (463 km) southeast of Denver.[6][7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.75 square miles (30.43 km2), of which, 11.61 square miles (30.07 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[1]

Climate

Liberal has a semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) characterized by hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters. The yearly average temperature in Liberal is 57 °F (14 °C), and the average relative humidity is 63%. Temperatures exceed 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 99 days a year and drop below 32 °F (0 °C) an average of 121 days a year.[8] Per year, precipitation averages 19.66 inches (499 mm), and snowfall averages 19.6 inches (50 cm). Liberal typically experiences precipitation 61 days a year and snowfall 9 days a year.[9] On average, January is the coldest month, July is the hottest month, and May is the wettest month. The hottest temperature recorded in Liberal was 114 °F (46 °C) in 1981; the coldest temperature recorded was -17 °F (-27 °C) in 1959.[10]

Climate data for Liberal, Kansas, USA
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 84
(29) 		87
(31) 		93
(34) 		103
(39) 		105
(41) 		114
(46) 		112
(44) 		109
(43) 		108
(42) 		98
(37) 		87
(31) 		85
(29) 		114
(46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 46
(8) 		52
(11) 		60
(16) 		70
(21) 		78
(26) 		89
(32) 		94
(34) 		92
(33) 		84
(29) 		73
(23) 		57
(14) 		48
(9) 		71
(22)
Daily mean °F (°C) 33
(1) 		39
(4) 		46
(8) 		56
(13) 		65
(18) 		75
(24) 		81
(27) 		79
(26) 		70
(21) 		59
(15) 		44
(7) 		35
(2) 		57
(14)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 19
(−7) 		23
(−5) 		30
(−1) 		39
(4) 		50
(10) 		60
(16) 		65
(18) 		64
(18) 		56
(13) 		43
(6) 		30
(−1) 		22
(−6) 		43
(6)
Record low °F (°C) −17
(−27) 		−13
(−25) 		−11
(−24) 		12
(−11) 		28
(−2) 		38
(3) 		49
(9) 		48
(9) 		29
(−2) 		16
(−9) 		−2
(−19) 		−13
(−25) 		−17
(−27)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.54
(14) 		0.56
(14) 		1.51
(38) 		1.57
(40) 		3.12
(79) 		2.71
(69) 		2.92
(74) 		2.11
(54) 		1.80
(46) 		1.44
(37) 		0.91
(23) 		0.54
(14) 		19.66
(499)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 4.2
(11) 		3.7
(9.4) 		4.4
(11) 		1.2
(3.0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0.4
(1.0) 		1.7
(4.3) 		3.8
(9.7) 		19.6
(50)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 3.1 3.1 4.9 5.3 7.7 7.4 6.7 6.5 5.4 4.1 3.8 3.3 61.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 2.3 1.7 1.7 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0.9 2.2 9.4
Source: National Weather Service;[9] The Weather Channel[10]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900426—
19101,716302.8%
19203,613110.5%
19305,29446.5%
19404,410−16.7%
19507,13461.8%
196013,81393.6%
197013,8620.4%
198014,9117.6%
199016,57311.1%
200019,66618.7%
201020,5254.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of 2009, the median income for a household in the city was $39,867, and the median income for a family was $42,102. Males had a median income of $29,340 versus $24,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,675. About 15.4% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.[11]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 20,525 people, 6,623 households, and 4,838 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,832.6 people per square mile (707.6/km²). There were 7,118 housing units at an average density of 641.3 per square mile (248.9/km²). 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. 58.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[4]

There were 6,623 households out 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.[4]

In the city, the population was spread out with 32.1% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.9 males age 18 and over.[4]

2000 census

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 19,666 people, 6,498 households, and 4,756 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,778.4 people per square mile (686.5/km²). There were 7,014 housing units at an average density of 634.3 per square mile (244.9/km²). 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.

Economy

Grain elevator in Liberal

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.

Government

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.[12] The city manager heads the city administration.[13]

Education

Colleges and universities

Primary and secondary education

Liberal Public Schools (Unified School District 480) operates twelve public schools in the city:[14]

There is also a Christian school in Liberal: Fellowship Baptist School (K-12).[15]

Transportation

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.[6]

Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport is immediately west of the city.[16] Publicly owned, it has two operative paved runways and is used primarily for general aviation.[17] Great Lakes Airlines provides airline service with daily flights to Denver.[18]

The Tucumcari Line of the Union Pacific Railroad runs parallel to U.S. 54 northeast-southwest through the city.[19]

Media

Print

Newspapers

The Southwest Daily Times office in Liberal
  • Leader and Times [1], daily
  • Liberal Light, weekly
Historic
  • High Plains Daily Leader (2008-2010)[20]
  • Southwest Daily Times (1935-2008)[21]

Radio

The following radio stations are licensed to and/or broadcast from Liberal:

AM

Frequency Callsign[22] Format[23] City of License Notes
1270 KSCB News/Talk Liberal, Kansas -
1470 KSMM Classic Hits Liberal, Kansas -

FM

Frequency Callsign[24] Format[25] City of License Notes
96.3 K242AK Public Liberal, Kansas NPR; Translator of KANZ, Garden City, Kansas[26]
100.5 K263AQ Rock Liberal, Kansas Translator of KKBS, Guymon, Oklahoma[27]
101.5 KSMM-FM Regional Mexican Liberal, Kansas Satellite of KMML, Dodge City, Kansas[28]
102.7 KLDG Country Liberal, Kansas -
105.1 KZQD Spanish Variety Liberal, Kansas -
107.5 KSCB-FM Adult Contemporary Liberal, Kansas -

Television

Liberal is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.[29] America One affiliate KLKT-LP is licensed to Liberal and broadcasts on channel 41.[30][31]

Culture

Events

Liberal is famous for its annual Pancake Day race that is held in competition with the town of Olney, England for the fastest time between both cities.

Points of interest

Adventure Bay water park in Liberal

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.[32]

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.[33]

Liberal is also home to "The Land of Oz" exhibit from The Wizard Of Oz, a recreation of Dorothy's house and the famed Yellow Brick Road, featuring donated bricks bearing the names of such luminaries as former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and Liza Minnelli.

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.

Sports

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.

Composer Mark So wrote his LIBERAL PLAIN SONG (for Joseph Kudirka) while stopped at a gas station in Liberal in 2005. [2]

In the movie National Lampoon's Vacation, Clark W. Griswold mentions departing the route of travel to Liberal to 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.[34]

Notable people

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

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-03. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d "American FactFinder 2". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
  5. ^ a b c d History: Over One Hundred Years of Being "Liberal" - at City of Liberal.com
  6. ^ a b c "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  7. ^ "City Distance Tool". Geobytes. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
  8. ^ "Historical Weather for Liberal, Kansas, United States of America". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  9. ^ a b "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service Forecast Office - Dodge City, KS. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  10. ^ a b "Average weather for Liberal, KS". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  11. ^ "Liberal city, Kansas - Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005-2009". 2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
  12. ^ "City Commissioners". City of Liberal. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  13. ^ "City Administration". City of Liberal. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  14. ^ "USD 480 Schools". Unified School District 480. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  15. ^ "City of Liberal, Education, Schools, Colleges". City of Liberal. 2008. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  16. ^ "General Highway Map - Seward County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  17. ^ "KLBL - Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  18. ^ "Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport". City of Liberal. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  19. ^ "UPRR Common Line Names" (PDF). Union Pacific Railroad. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  20. ^ "High Plains Daily Leader". Mondo Times. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  21. ^ "About this Newspaper: The Southwest daily times". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  22. ^ "AMQ AM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  23. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  24. ^ "FMQ FM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  25. ^ "Radio Stations in Liberal, Kansas". Radio-Locator. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  26. ^ "HPPR Signal Map". High Plains Public Radio. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  27. ^ "K263AQ-FM 100.5 MHz". Radio-Locator. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  28. ^ "KMML". Rocking M Radio. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  29. ^ "Kansas TV Markets". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  30. ^ "TVQ TV Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  31. ^ "Local Stations - Kansas". America One. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  32. ^ Mid-America Air Museum - at CityofLiberal.com
  33. ^ Seward County Museum
  34. ^ National Lampoon's Vacation Script
  35. ^ "Wayne D. Angell". U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  36. ^ "Chris Brown Named Head Coach of Fort Hays State Football". Fort Hays State University. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  37. ^ "Girl Jockey: Wantha Davis - Timeline". Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  38. ^ "Kasey Hayes". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  39. ^ "Kristin Key". Last Comic Standing. NBC. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  40. ^ "Shalee Lehning". WNBA Draft 2009 - Prospect Search. Women's National Basketball Association. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  41. ^ "Martin Lewis". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  42. ^ "Laura Gibbs Maczka". City of Richardson. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  43. ^ Fender, Jessica (2010-09-29). "Police files show Maes met with Kansas agents". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2011-06-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ "Kelli McCarty". IMDb. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  45. ^ Leggett, Steve. "Jerrod Niemann - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  46. ^ "Melvin Sanders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  47. ^ "William Stafford". University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Center for Great Plains Studies. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  48. ^ "Doug Terry". Scottish Claymores. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  49. ^ "Dallas Trahern". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  50. ^ "Jerame Tuman". National Football League. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  51. ^ "General Larry D. Welch". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2011-06-02.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liberal, Kansas.
City
Schools
Maps
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Liberal,_Kansas&oldid=531293758"