The population density was 1,734.5 inhabitants per square mile (669.7/km 2). The 2020 United States census counted 19,825 people, 6,426 households, and 4,288 families in Liberal. Ĭlimate data for Liberal, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–presentĭemographics Historical population Census The highest temperature recorded in Liberal was 114 ☏ (45.6 ☌) on Jthe coldest temperature recorded was −20 ☏ (−28.9 ☌) on February 27, 1930. The minimum temperature falls to or below 0 ☏ (−17.8 ☌) on an average 1.6 days a year.

The high temperature reaches or exceeds 90 ☏ (32 ☌) an average of 801 days a year and 100 ☏ (38 ☌) an average of 16.5 days. On average, January is the coldest month, July is the hottest month, and June is the wettest month. 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%. Īccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.75 square miles (30.43 km 2), of which 11.61 square miles (30.07 km 2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km 2) is water. The city lies approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the Cimarron River in the High Plains region of the Great Plains. Route 54, Liberal is 140 miles (225 km) north-northeast of Amarillo, Texas, 202 mi (325 km) west-southwest of Wichita, and 288 mi (463 km) southeast of Denver, Colorado. Liberal is located in southwestern Kansas at the intersection of U.S. In 1963 the largest helium plant in the world, National Helium, was opened. Oil was discovered southwest of town in 1951. Natural gas was discovered west of town, in what would become part of the massive Panhandle-Hugoton Gas Field, in 1920.

ĭrought 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.

A year later the population was around 800. After the railroad was built close by, a plan for the town site was created in 1888. Reportedly, Liberal gained its name from the common response to his acts of kindness, 'That's very liberal of you.' In 1885 Rogers built a general store, and with it came an official U.S. Rogers became famous in the region for giving free water to thirsty travelers. Rogers built the first house in what would become Liberal in 1872.

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