Barren County Health Data

Barren County, Kentucky

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

42/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.7 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.7%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

70

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

244

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

22.3%

State avg 23.9%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

24.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 69.6 per 100K

Dentists

6.7

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

17.9

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Barren County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBarrenState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.6%
Diabetes11.2%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Depression24.1%

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBarrenState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.3%
Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity27.0%

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBarrenState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.9%
Dental Visit (past year)56.1%53.9%57.3%2.2 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.7%71.3%73.3%2.4 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBarrenState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%
Short Sleep Duration42.4%41.7%37.3%0.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Barren County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Barren County primary care availability matches the national median

Health data brief for Barren County, Kentucky.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Barren County has 70 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, a figure that matches the national median exactly. In terms of mental health, the county reports 244 providers per 100,000, which is close to the national median of 250. The uninsured rate stands at 7.7%, which is higher than the Kentucky average of 7.0% but lower than the national 10%. Life expectancy for residents is 73.7 years, which is longer than the state average of 72.2 years but shorter than the national average of 77 years. Approximately 22.3% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, compared to 17% nationally. While the primary care provider ratio aligns with national standards, the percentage of uninsured residents is slightly higher than the state average. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Barren County, Kentucky

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

T J Samson Community Hospital

ER
3/5
(270) 651-4159
1301 North Race Street, Glasgow, KY 42141
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Other

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Barren County, KY?
Barren County has a health score of 42/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #47 out of 120 counties in Kentucky (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Barren County?
Life expectancy in Barren County is 73.7 years. The Kentucky state average is 72.2 years, making Barren County above the state average.
How does Barren County health compare to the Kentucky average?
Barren County's health score of 42/100 is above the Kentucky average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 73.7 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 7.7% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Barren County?
Key health factors for Barren County include: life expectancy (73.7 years), uninsured rate (7.7%), and primary care physician access (70:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 244:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Barren County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 42/100 ("Below Average"), Barren County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kentucky. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.7 years. 7.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Barren County healthier than the Kentucky average?
Barren County's health score of 42/100 exceeds the Kentucky average of 41/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.