Gano Chapel from the Quad in 2004 after the clock tower had been repaired following the 2003 tornado.Clay County Savings Association buildingHistoric Liberty Jail museum
Liberty was settled in 1822, and shortly later became the county seat of Clay County.[8] The city was named for the American concept of liberty.[9]
In 1830, David Rice Atchison established a law office in Liberty. He was joined three years later by colleague Alexander William Doniphan. The two argued cases defending the rights of Mormon settlers in Jackson County, served Northwest Missouri in Missouri's General Assembly, and labored for the addition of the Platte Purchase to Missouri's boundaries.
In October 1838, the two were ordered by Governor Lilburn Boggs to arrest Mormon founder Joseph Smith Jr. at the Far West settlement in Caldwell County.[10] Immediately after the conclusion of the Mormon War, Smith and other Mormon leaders were incarcerated at the Liberty Jail for the winter as Doniphan labored for a quicker trial date. Although Doniphan led a force of Missouri volunteers ordered to capture the leaders, he defended Joseph Smith in trial and won him a change in venue. While en route to their new venue, Smith and his followers escaped and left Missouri for the new Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.15 square miles (75.50 km2), of which 29.03 square miles (75.19 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water.[14]
The 2020 United States census[16] counted 30,167 people, 10,816 households, and 7,602 families in Liberty. The population density was 1,039.2 per square mile (401.2/km2). There were 11,505 housing units at an average density of 396.3 per square mile (153.0/km2). The racial makeup was 84.17% (25,391) white, 4.57% (1,378) black or African-American, 0.46% (139) Native American, 1.0% (303) Asian, 0.15% (46) Pacific Islander, 1.58% (478) from other races, and 8.06% (2,432) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.1% (1,932) of the population.
Of the 10,816 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18; 53.4% were married couples living together; 26.5% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 23.6% consisted of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3.
27.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 92.7 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[17] estimates show that the median household income was $78,184 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,139) and the median family income was $90,839 (+/- $5,167). Males had a median income of $48,640 (+/- $3,513) versus $32,463 (+/- $1,897) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $40,538 (+/- $2,938). Approximately, 3.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 29,149 people, 10,582 households, and 7,555 families living in the city. The population density was 1,004.1 inhabitants per square mile (387.7/km2). There were 11,284 housing units at an average density of 388.7 per square mile (150.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.4% White, 3.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
There were 10,582 households, of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
The median age in the city was 36.4 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 26,232 people, 9,511 households, and 6,943 families living in the city. The population density was 973.3 inhabitants per square mile (375.8/km2). There were 9,973 housing units at an average density of 370.0 per square mile (142.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.75% White, 2.59% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68% of the population.
There were 9,511 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,745, and the median income for a family was $61,273. Males had a median income of $41,713 versus $28,516 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,415. About 3.8% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Major employers in Liberty include the Hallmark distribution warehouse. Liberty is also home to the operations headquarters for Ferrellgas, the 2nd largest retail provider of propane in the United States.[citation needed] The B&B Theatres corporate office is located in Liberty, the 5th largest theater chain in the U.S.[citation needed] While technically not in Liberty, the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant is a major employer in nearby Claycomo.
Top employers
According to the town's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[19] the top employers in the city are:
Liberty is also home to William Jewell College, a private, four-year liberal arts college of more than 900 undergraduate students that was founded in 1849.[22]
The Liberty Jail is now an open museum and tourist site. The Clay County Historical Society Museum features period room displays, a historic pharmacy counter, toys and dolls, model trains, tools and more.
