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Liberty, MO

Frequently asked questions

Liberty, MO

Liberty is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, Missouri, United States, and is a suburb of Kansas City, located in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 30,167. Liberty is home to William Jewell College.

Liberty was settled in 1822, and shortly later became the county seat of Clay County. The city was named for the American concept of liberty.

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. 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 venue change. While en route to their new venue, Smith and his followers escaped and left Missouri for the new Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Liberty is located approximately six miles north of the Missouri River along I-35 and Missouri Route 291. 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.

Liberty places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Liberty's commitment to health is reflected in its healthcare infrastructure, with Liberty Hospital at the forefront of ensuring the well-being of the community. The Liberty Community Center is a focal point for fitness enthusiasts, offering a variety of exercise classes, sports facilities, and wellness programs. Genesis Health Clubs, Anytime Fitness, and The Foundation Gyms provide extensive gym facilities and fitness classes for all levels. Yoga Liberty and The Practice Studio offer yoga classes for all skill levels, promoting relaxation and flexibility.

Top sites in Liberty, MO are Liberty Jail, Jesse James Bank Museum, and Clay County Museum.

Population: 30,794 (2023). ZIP codes: 64068, 64069. Area codes: 816, 975. Elevation: 863 ft (263 m). Area: 29.16 sq mi (75.52 km2).

FAQs

What is Liberty, MO famous for?

After the Battle of Liberty, the campus of William Jewell College, in Liberty, served as a makeshift hospital and a burial site for the Union dead. Today, historic Liberty is best remembered as the site of the first daytime bank robbery in the United States and a place of incarceration of Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. According to numerous local reports, the Clay County Courthouse (and possibly Liberty's city hall) refused to fly the American Flag until the First World War.

What is the crime rate in Liberty, MO?

The crime rate in Liberty is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 18 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Liberty is 1 in 56. Based on FBI crime data, Liberty is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Missouri, Liberty has a crime rate that is higher than 70% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Liberty, MO a good area?

Liberty is in Clay County and is one of the best places to live in Missouri. Living in Liberty offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Liberty, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Liberty and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Liberty are highly rated.

Sources

City of Liberty

Wikipedia

Civil War on the Western Border

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Liberty Jail

Jesse James Bank Museum

Clay County Museum

Liberty Hospital 

Liberty Community Center

Genesis Health Clubs

Anytime Fitness

The Foundation Gyms

Yoga Liberty

The Practice Studio

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