Barren County Health Data

Barren County, Kentucky

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

Data Story

About Health in Barren County, Kentucky

Barren life expectancy trails nation

Barren County residents live to 73.7 years, about 4.5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.2 years. About 22.3% report poor or fair health, above the national average of 21%.

Above-average health status statewide

Barren's 73.7-year life expectancy exceeds Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years by 1.5 years, ranking it in the upper half of state counties. The 22.3% poor/fair health rate is near the state average.

Excellent primary care access

Barren stands out with 70 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—significantly more than most neighbors, including Adair (26) and Anderson (29). Mental health coverage is also strong at 244 providers per 100,000.

Uninsured rate slightly elevated

About 7.7% of Barren residents lack health insurance, the highest rate among these eight counties and 0.7 percentage points above Kentucky's 7.0% average. Despite strong provider supply, coverage gaps limit access for some residents.

Bridge Barren's coverage gap

The 7.7% of uninsured Barren residents have a clear path to coverage at kynect.ky.gov—the county's ample providers mean insurance translates directly to care. Medicaid expansion has made coverage affordable for most working families.

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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.

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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.