County · Kentucky
Barren County, Kentucky
Barren County, Kentucky. Barren County had 45,641 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020, in line with Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 4 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 21009.
Barren County is one of the 2 counties of the Glasgow, KY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,641
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,485 · ACS 2020-2024: 44,938
Median household income
$50,628
±$2,937 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$178,000
±$7,848 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$796
±$36 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Barren County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 44,485 residents in Barren County. The Census Bureau estimates 45,641 for July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, in line with Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 44,938 over 487 square miles of land.
| Measure | Barren County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 44,938 | 4,534,824 | +1,054 |
| Households | 18,017±339 | 1,814,469 | +1,086 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.05 | 2.43 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 20,283±39 | 2,023,116 | +601 |
Barren County's population since 2000
From 38,033 in 2000 to 45,641 in 2025: up 20.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Barren County?
Barren County holds 4 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Glasgow with 15,302 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Barren County?
The median resident of Barren County is 39.8 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 18.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.4%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Barren County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8±0.6 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.9%±0.2 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.1%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% | 5.0% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.4%±0.8 pts | 81.5% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.5 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.0%±1.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 21.6%±1.7 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.5%±1.8 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.9%±1.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.3%±1.9 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.6%±1.2 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Barren County earn?
Half of Barren County's 18,017 households earn less than $50,628 a year (±$2,937), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $51,023 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Barren County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,628±$2,937 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,460±$4,578 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,914±$1,766 | $35,821 | +$3,000 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.4%±2.5 pts | 16.1% | −4.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.8%±5.9 pts | 20.3% | −9.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.3%±2.3 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.0%±1.8 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Barren County?
Owners occupy 65.2% of Barren County's occupied homes and renters 34.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $178,000 by its owner (±$7,848). The median renter pays $796 a month including utilities, and 37.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Barren County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $178,000±$7,848 | $205,600 | +$23,671 |
| Median gross rent | $796±$36 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.6%±6.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,281±$62 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.2%±2.5 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,283±39 | 2,023,116 | +601 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±2.3 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.4%±2.4 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.9%±1.9 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2%±1.2 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Barren County building?
Builders took permits for 204 new housing units across Barren County in 2025 (178 single-family), 4.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Barren County get to work?
77.3% of Barren County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Barren County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.7%±2.3 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | −2.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3%±2.3 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±1.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±1.7 pts | 10.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.4 min±1.5 | 24.0 min | +2.1 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Barren County's census tracts?
Barren County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,850 (Tract 9502) to $79,358 (Tract 9507.02).
| Tract 950121009950100 | 3,633±486 | $68,920 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950221009950200 | 3,509±400 | $31,850 |
| Tract 950321009950300 | 4,056±449 | $47,299 |
| Tract 9504.0121009950401 | 2,835±510 | $37,045 |
| Tract 9504.0221009950402 | 3,592±518 | $37,500 |
| Tract 950521009950500 | 4,052±484 | $49,032 |
| Tract 9506.0121009950601 | 3,082±588 | $36,163 |
| Tract 9506.0221009950602 | 3,124±390 | $71,200 |
| Tract 9507.0121009950701 | 2,040±263 | $57,165 |
| Tract 9507.0221009950702 | 3,552±573 | $79,358 |
| Tract 950821009950800 | 4,041±528 | $58,382 |
| Tract 950921009950900 | 4,004±536 | $57,667 |
| Tract 951021009951000 | 3,418±593 | $49,630 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Barren County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 24th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 50th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 36th of 120 |
| Median household income | 83rd of 120 |
| Median home value | 38th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 51st of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50th of 120 |
| Median age | 89th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Barren County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.