Barren County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. Based on the 2010 census, the
population was 42,173. The county was
created on December 20, 1798. The county
seat is Glasgow. Barren county is named for the Barrens, meadow lands that
cover the northern third, though actually the soil is fertile.
Barren County is part of the Glasgow, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Bowling Green-Glasgow, KY Combined
Statistical Area.
The county was named by explorers. Barren County received its namesake due to large treeless expanses visitors found which made the area seem infertile. The expanses were attributed to the burning of trees and brush by the Indians to aid in their buffalo hunts.
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Barren county was formed in 1799. It is located in the Pennyrile region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 465 to 1068 feet above sea level. In 2000 the county population was 38,033 in a land area of 490.97 square miles, an average of 77.5 people per square mile. The county seat is Glasgow.
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 500 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 488 square miles (1,260 km2) is
land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.5%) is water.
Barren county is located close to the center of Kentucky.
Barren River Lake is located in the southern part of the county, forming part of its boundary with Allen County. Barren River Lake State
Resort Park is located mainly within Barren County, along the lake's shoreline.
Bordering counties are as follows:
The county is home to all or part of three school districts: