Barren County, Kentucky is located in south-central Kentucky and is part of the Bowling Green metropolitan area. The county has a population of 42,000 and a median household income of $45,000. The county has a poverty rate of 22.3%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 14.6%.
The county's economy is largely driven by agriculture and manufacturing. The top industries in the county are manufacturing, retail trade, and health care and social assistance. The unemployment rate in Barren County is 4.2%, which is lower than the national average of 6.7%.
The county's demographics are largely white, with a population that is 87.6% white and 8.7% African American. The median age of the population is 38.6 years old, which is slightly higher than the national average of 38.1 years old.
Barren County has a high school graduation rate of 87.2%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 84.6%. The county also has a number of higher education institutions, including Western Kentucky University, Somerset Community College, and Lindsey Wilson College.
The real estate market in Barren County is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $125,000. The median rent is $845 per month, which is slightly lower than the national average of $949 per month. The county also has a number of rural properties available, with a median listing price of $150,000.
Overall, Barren County is a rural county with a strong agricultural and manufacturing base. The county has a slightly higher poverty rate than the national average, but the unemployment rate is lower. The county also has a high school graduation rate that is higher than the national average, and a number of higher education institutions. The real estate market in the county is relatively affordable, with a median home value and median rent that are lower than the national average.