Editing North Liberty, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = North Liberty, Iowa
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = LibertyCentreNorthLibertyIowa.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = North Liberty
|image_seal               = North Liberty IA logo.png
|image_map = Johnson_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_North_Liberty_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of North Liberty, Iowa
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Iowa]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Johnson County, Iowa|Johnson]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Council-manager government]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = [[City Administrator]]
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = 1913
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022|archive-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510234829/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 23.62
|area_land_km2            = 23.62
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 9.12
|area_land_sq_mi          = 9.12
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 20479
|population_density_km2   = 866.88
|population_density_sq_mi = 2245.26
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 778
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|44|38|N|91|36|28|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 52317
|area_code                = [[Area code 319|319]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 19-57360
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2395256<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395256}}</ref>
|website                  = http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''North Liberty''' is a city in [[Johnson County, Iowa]], United States. It is a suburb of [[Iowa City, Iowa|Iowa City]] and part of the [[Iowa City metropolitan area|Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city population was 20,479.<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021 |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812173907/https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2000 to 2010, North Liberty was the second fastest-growing city in Iowa. A 2017 LendEDU poll named North Liberty the ninth most educated city in the United States and the most educated city in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://northlibertyiowa.org/2017/04/21/north-liberty-one-of-the-smartest-cities-in-the-us/|title=North Liberty one of the smartest cities in the US|date=2017-04-21|website=City of North Liberty|access-date=2017-06-01|archive-date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518034656/http://northlibertyiowa.org/2017/04/21/north-liberty-one-of-the-smartest-cities-in-the-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
The North Liberty area was first settled in 1838 by John Gaylor and Alonzo C. Dennison. It was originally known as "Big Bottom" or "North Bend" (in reference to its location near the bend of the [[Iowa River]]) by its earliest settlers and was later known as "Squash Bend" before the city was platted as North Liberty in 1857.<ref name="history">{{cite web|author=City of North Liberty|title=North Liberty, Iowa|url=http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/econdev/timeline-small.pdf|access-date=2007-10-25|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071108184855/http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/econdev/timeline-small.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-11-08}}</ref>

North Liberty incorporated on November 10, 1913, at which time its population was approximately 190.<ref>{{cite web|author=City of North Liberty|title=Wastewater Department|url=http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/city/wastewater.htm|access-date=2007-10-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060203235648/http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/city/wastewater.htm|archive-date=2006-02-03}}</ref>
Population growth accelerated in the 1960s, and the [[Iowa City Community School District]] opened Penn Elementary there in 1961. A 1967 special census placed the city's population at 782, and by 1980 the population had grown to over 2,000. In 1984, in response to the population growth, the North Liberty Community Library [http://www.northlibertylibrary.org/] was founded, and Penn Meadows Park, the city's largest, was opened. By 2000, the population of the city was over 5,000. The city had established its own police and fire departments and built a community center with library and aquatic park, as well as a city administration building. The city has since continued to grow, with a population of 7,224 in a 2004 special census. In 2007, the population was estimated to be 10,982, making North Liberty the second fastest-growing city in Iowa.<ref name=history /><ref>{{cite web|author=United States Census Bureau|title=Subcounty Population Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-19.csv|access-date=2008-07-10|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629123237/http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-19.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>  According to the 2010 U.S. census the population of North Liberty had increased to 13,374.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.83|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref>{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-05-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2011-02-20}}</ref>

North Liberty is located on the [[Geology of Iowa#Iowan surface|Iowan erosion surface]]. Drivers on [[Interstate 380 (Iowa)|I-380]] experience an abrupt transition from the muted topography of the Iowan surface to the rolling hills of the [[Geology of Iowa#Southern Iowa drift plain|Southern Iowa drift plain]], four miles south of North Liberty.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= right
|1920|171
|1930|161
|1940|282
|1950|309
|1960|334
|1970|1055
|1980|2046
|1990|2926
|2000|5367
|2010|13374
|2020|20479
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>}}|footnote=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/files/SUB-EST2012_19.csv|title=United States Census estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2013-05-25|archive-date=January 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114203457/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/files/SUB-EST2012_19.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[United States census|census]] of 2020,<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009151602/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |url-status=live }}</ref> there were 20,479 people, 7,897 households, and 5,036 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 2,245.2 inhabitants per square mile (866.9/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 8,192 housing units at an average density of 898.1 per square mile (346.8/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 81.1% [[White Americans|White]], 6.5% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 3.0% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 2.1% from other races and 7.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 6.0% of the population.

Of the 7,897 households, 39.7% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.2% were cohabitating couples, 24.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 15.9% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 36.2% of all households were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 31.7 years. 30.9% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 37.5% were from 25 and 44; 17.8% were from 45 and 64; and 7.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-05-11|archive-date=December 27, 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref> of 2010, there were 13,374 people, 5,492 households, and 3,262 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1708.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 5,761 housing units at an average density of {{convert|735.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.9% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 5,492 households, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 29.2 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 44% were from 25 to 44; 15.3% were from 45 to 64; and 3.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website|archive-date=December 27, 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref> of 2000, there were 5,367 people, 2,259 households, and 1,400 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|791.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,377 housing units at an average density of {{convert|350.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.38% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.53% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.17% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.82% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.11% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.78% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.21% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.38% of the population.

There were 2,259 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.95.

26.8% are under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 43.9% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 4.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

== Government ==
{{update needed|date=April 2025}}
North Liberty is governed by a five member city council and a non-voting mayor, each serving a four-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City Council |url=https://northlibertyiowa.org/government/city-council/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=City of North Liberty |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908165931/https://northlibertyiowa.org/government/city-council/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Position
!Name
!Term Expires
|-
|Mayor
|Chris Hoffman
|2025
|-
|Councilor 1
|Erek Sittig
|2025
|-
|Councilor 2
|Brian Wayson
|2025
|-
|Councilor 3
|RaQuishia Harrington
|2023
|-
|Councilor 4
|Brent Smith
|2023
|-
|Councilor 5
|Ashley Bermel
|2023
|}

==Education==
A majority of North Liberty residents live within the boundaries of the [[Iowa City Community School District]], while the area west of Jones Boulevard (and the Deerfield Subdivision) belongs to the [[Clear Creek–Amana Community School District]].<ref>{{cite web|title=City of North Liberty Schools|url=http://northlibertyiowa.org/community/schools/|publisher=City of North Liberty|access-date=2013-04-29|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515052548/http://northlibertyiowa.org/community/schools/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Van Allen Elementary.jpg|thumb|[[James Van Allen]] Elementary]]
Public schools in or serving students from North Liberty include the following:
* From the Iowa City Community School District:
** Buford Garner Elementary
** Penn Elementary
** Van Allen Elementary
** Christine Grant Elementary 
** North Central Junior High
**[[Liberty High School (North Liberty, Iowa)|Liberty High (North Liberty)]]
**[[Iowa City West High School|West High (Iowa City)]]
* From the Clear Creek–Amana Community School District:
** North Bend Elementary
** Clear Creek–Amana Middle School (Tiffin)
** [[Clear Creek–Amana High School]] (Tiffin)
**Oak Hill Elementary (Tiffin)

[[File:WaterTowerNorthLibertyIA.jpg|thumb|A water tower in North Liberty]]
A 2017 poll by LendEDU gave North Liberty an Education Grade of 84.51, placing it 9th among its Top 500 Most Educated Cities. North Liberty is the only non-coastal city listed in the top 10. According to the study, the number of advanced-degree holding residents has a strong correlation with several social goods, including "a good number of high paying jobs in the area, an excellent schooling system to educate the next generation, nearby higher education institutions, and more."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lendedu.com/blog/cities-smartest-residents/|title=Cities with the Smartest Residents - Lendedu|date=2017-04-10|work=Lendedu|access-date=2017-06-01|language=en-US|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904112121/https://lendedu.com/blog/cities-smartest-residents/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
The sewage from the city is treated at a modern and sophisticated [[Sewage treatment|treatment plant]] using Membrane Bio-Reactor(MBR) technology followed by UV sterilization. It is designed to be able to discharge more than 2 million gallons of high-quality effluent to Muddy Creek each day.

==VLBA node==
The [[radio telescope]] located northeast of North Liberty ({{coord|41|46|17.13|N|91|34|26.88|W}}; designation "NL") on Mehaffey Bridge Road is one of ten dishes comprising the [[Very Long Baseline Array]] (VLBA).

==Notable person==
* [[Jean Prahm]], Olympic [[bobsled]]der

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040723154103/http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/ City of North Liberty]

{{Johnson County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Johnson County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Iowa City metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Iowa Territory]]