Liberty, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Liberty, Missouri
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Historic Clay County Courthouse in Liberty, Missouri
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Location in the state of Missouri and in Clay County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Clay |
| Incorporated | May 7, 1829 (as a town), 1851 (as a city) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council-Administrator |
| Area | |
| • Total | 29.16 sq mi (75.52 km2) |
| • Land | 29.03 sq mi (75.19 km2) |
| • Water | 0.13 sq mi (0.33 km2) |
| Elevation | 863 ft (263 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 30,167 |
| • Density | 1,039.09/sq mi (401.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
64068, 64069
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| Area code(s) | 816 |
| FIPS code | 29-42032 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395700 |
Liberty is a city in Clay County, Missouri, United States. It is the main city of Clay County. Liberty is also a suburb of Kansas City. It is part of the larger Kansas City Metropolitan Area. In 2020, about 30,167 people lived there. Liberty is also home to William Jewell College.
Contents
A Look Back at Liberty's History
Liberty was first settled in 1822. Soon after, it became the main city for Clay County. The city was named after the American idea of liberty, which means freedom.
In 1830, a lawyer named David Rice Atchison opened his office in Liberty. Three years later, his friend Alexander William Doniphan joined him. They worked on cases to protect the rights of Mormon settlers. They also helped add the Platte Purchase area to Missouri.
Important Events: The Mormon War
In 1838, the governor ordered them to arrest Joseph Smith Jr., who founded the Mormon faith. This happened at the Far West settlement. After a conflict known as the Mormon War, Smith and other Mormon leaders were held at the Liberty Jail. They stayed there through the winter.
Even though Doniphan was part of the group that captured the leaders, he defended Joseph Smith in court. He helped Smith get a new trial location. While on their way to the new location, Smith and his followers escaped. They then left Missouri for a new settlement in Illinois.
Historic Places in Liberty
Many places in Liberty are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include the Clay County Savings Association Building and the Historic Liberty Jail. Other notable places are the Clinton House and Jewell Hall. These sites help tell the story of Liberty's past.
Where Liberty is Located
Liberty is about six miles north of the Missouri River. You can find it along I-35 and Missouri Route 291.
The city covers about 29.15 square miles (75.52 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area, about 29.03 square miles (75.19 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.12 square miles (0.33 square kilometers), is water.
People of Liberty
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 827 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,288 | 55.7% | |
| 1870 | 1,700 | 32.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,476 | −13.2% | |
| 1890 | 2,558 | 73.3% | |
| 1900 | 2,407 | −5.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,980 | 23.8% | |
| 1920 | 3,097 | 3.9% | |
| 1930 | 3,516 | 13.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,598 | 2.3% | |
| 1950 | 4,709 | 30.9% | |
| 1960 | 8,909 | 89.2% | |
| 1970 | 13,704 | 53.8% | |
| 1980 | 16,251 | 18.6% | |
| 1990 | 20,459 | 25.9% | |
| 2000 | 26,232 | 28.2% | |
| 2010 | 29,149 | 11.1% | |
| 2020 | 30,167 | 3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 | |||
Population in 2020
The 2020 United States census counted 30,167 people living in Liberty. There were 10,816 households and 7,602 families. The city had about 1,039 people per square mile.
About 27.7% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age in the city was 35.8 years.
Population in 2010
In the census of 2010, there were 29,149 people in Liberty. There were 10,582 households. The population density was about 1,004 people per square mile.
About 26.6% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age in the city was 36.4 years.
What Liberty Does for Work
Liberty has several important employers. The Hallmark distribution warehouse is a big one. Ferrellgas, a large company that sells propane, has its main office here. B&B Theatres, one of the biggest movie theater chains in the U.S., also has its main office in Liberty.
The Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant is a major employer nearby. It is located in Claycomo.
Top Employers in Liberty
Here are the top employers in Liberty, based on a 2016 report:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty Public Schools | 2,109 |
| 2 | Liberty Hospital | 1,400 |
| 3 | Hallmark Cards | 820 |
| 4 | RR Donnelley | 350 |
| 5 | Clay County | 350 |
| 6 | City of Liberty | 325 |
| 7 | Ferrellgas | 263 |
| 8 | Ford Stamping Plant | 256 |
| 9 | William Jewell | 235 |
| 10 | LMV | 185 |
Learning in Liberty
Liberty has a good education system. The Liberty 53 School District runs ten elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools.
The city also has a public library. It is a part of the Mid-Continent Public Library system.
William Jewell College is located in Liberty. It is a private, four-year college. It was founded in 1849 and has over 900 students.
Famous People from Liberty
Many notable people have connections to Liberty:
- David Allen – A former American football running back.
- Ken Boyer – A former baseball player and manager for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Greg Canuteson – A former mayor and state representative.
- James Dewees – A keyboardist and singer for the band The Get Up Kids.
- Alexander William Doniphan – A general in the Mexican War. He helped protect Joseph Smith.
- Hubert Eaton – The person who created the famous Forest Lawn cemeteries in California.
- Shea Groom – A soccer player.
- Gatewood Lincoln – A former governor of American Samoa.
- George Rice – A football player.
- Nick Robinson – A former Stanford Basketball player and college coach.
- Alex Saxon – An actor known for The Fosters and Finding Carter.
- Eric Staves – An actor who appeared in Goat and American Horror Story: 1984.
- Craig Stevens – The star of the 1950s TV show Peter Gunn.
- Matt Wertz – A soft rock singer and songwriter.
Sister Cities
Liberty has a "twin town" or sister city:
Diekirch, Luxembourg
See also
In Spanish: Liberty (Misuri) para niños
