West Liberty, Iowa Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

West Liberty, Iowa is a small town of approximately 3,500 people located in Muscatine County. It is situated in the rolling hills of Eastern Iowa and is known for its rural charm and friendly atmosphere. The town was founded in 1855 by a group of settlers from Ohio and originally named Libertyville. In 1866, it was renamed West Liberty to distinguish it from another nearby settlement called East Liberty.

West Liberty is home to a variety of businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, banks, financial services and more. The town has a historic downtown area with Victorian-style buildings and quaint storefronts that give the town its unique character. There are also several parks located throughout the city that provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking and biking trails.

The town is served by the West Liberty Community School District which consists of four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The district also offers options for alternative education such as vocational/technical training at the Muscatine Area Career Academy. In addition to its educational programs, West Liberty also has an active community center which hosts events such as concerts, plays and festivals throughout the year for both locals and visitors alike.

The city’s economy relies heavily on agriculture with many local farms producing corn, soybeans and other crops for sale across the Midwest region. There are also several manufacturing plants in West Liberty that supply products to other areas around the state including John Deere tractors, lawn mowers and farm equipment.

West Liberty is a great place to live if you’re looking for small-town charm combined with modern amenities such as quality schools, recreational activities and economic opportunities. With its friendly atmosphere and close proximity to larger cities like Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, West Liberty provides an ideal balance between rural living and urban convenience that makes it an attractive place to call home.

Population: 3,332. Estimated population in July 2024: 3,603 (+8.1% change)
Males: 1,677 (50.3%), Females: 1,655 (49.7%)

Muscatine County

Zip code: 52776

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.7 years
Median household income: $37,925
Median house value: $85,000

Population by Race

Races in West Liberty:

  • White Non-Hispanic (54.8%)
  • Hispanic (40.5%)
  • Other race (25.0%)
  • Two or more races (3.5%)
  • Other Asian (2.2%)
  • American Indian (1.1%)
  • Vietnamese (0.6%)
  • Asian Indian (0.5%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (21.3%), Irish (10.4%), English (6.1%), Dutch (3.8%), United States (2.5%), Danish (2.3%).

Elevation: 676 feet

Land area: 1.6 square miles

Map of West Liberty, IA

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in West Liberty

  • High school or higher: 68.0%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.0%
  • Unemployed: 3.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 18.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in West Liberty city

  • Never married: 21.3%
  • Now married: 61.2%
  • Separated: 1.0%
  • Widowed: 8.7%
  • Divorced: 7.8%

25.6% Foreign born (22.7% Latin America, 2.6% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +375 (+12.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near West Liberty:

  • UNITY HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; MUSCATINE, IA)
  • MERCY HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; IOWA CITY, IA)
  • UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITAL & CLINIC (about 21 miles; IOWA CITY, IA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to West Liberty:

  • THE EASTERN IOWA (about 38 miles; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Abbreviation: CID)
  • QUAD CITY INTL (about 54 miles; MOLINE, IL; Abbreviation: MLI)
  • SOUTHEAST IOWA REGIONAL (about 57 miles; BURLINGTON, IA; Abbreviation: BRL)

Other public-use airports nearest to West Liberty:

  • MATHEWS MEMORIAL (about 15 miles; TIPTON, IA; Abbreviation: 8C4)
  • MUSCATINE MUNI (about 17 miles; MUSCATINE, IA; Abbreviation: MUT)
  • IOWA CITY MUNI (about 20 miles; IOWA CITY, IA; Abbreviation: IOW)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to West Liberty:

  • UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (about 21 miles; IOWA CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 24,766)
  • EASTERN IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (about 48 miles; DAVENPORT, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,180)
  • AUGUSTANA COLLEGE (about 49 miles; ROCK ISLAND, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,220)
  • SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY (about 49 miles; DAVENPORT, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,310)
  • BLACK HAWK COLLEGE (about 53 miles; MOLINE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 3,891)
  • KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 61 miles; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Full-time enrollment: 7,991)
  • WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (about 87 miles; MACOMB, IL; Full-time enrollment: 11,096)

Schools

Public high school in West Liberty:

  • WEST LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 358; Location: 113 E 7TH STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in West Liberty:

  • WEST LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 493; Location: 806 N MILLER; Grades: 03 – 08)
  • WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 306; Location: 111 W 7TH ST; Grades: PK – 02)

Libraries

Library in West Liberty:

  • WEST LIBERTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $92,196; Location: 400 N. SPENCER ST.; 15,175 books; 1,275 audio materials; 89 video materials; 54 serial subscriptions)