Barren River includes rural homes on acreage and downtown-adjacent homes
Barren River is a large, diverse area west of its namesake body of water, encompassing semi-rural stretches of land in Warren County and suburban streets that neighbor downtown Bowling Green and the campus of Western Kentucky University (WKU). “It’s still that small to mid-sized city with a good college town vibe to it,” says Tanner Gann, a Realtor with Hunt Real Estate Group, a Bowling Green native and an alum of WKU. While some residents are close to the hustle and bustle of the city and campus life, those in western Barren River enjoy acreage and privacy.
Fixer-uppers near downtown and ranchers on acreage in the county
Sidewalks tend to line one side of the streets within Bowling Green’s city limits, while county homes — fewer and farther between — offer more privacy. Cottages and ranch-style homes, mostly from the 1950s and 1960s, range between $95,000 and $215,000 in price, depending on the size of their lots. Though some of the properties in the area date back to the late 1800s, new constructions come on lots as large as a quarter of an acre, fetching between $230,000 and $285,000.
“A lot of growth is coming to the outlying areas of downtown that were considered less desirable or were considered college-age areas 20 or 30 years ago,” Gann says. “Young families are moving into older homes and areas around downtown and adding updates to be in a resurging but affordable area. There’s a slightly older demographic coming in to establish roots and make it a home."
Homes in the western, rural portion of Barren River come with spacious lots, ranging from half an acre to nearly 3 acres in size, with room for storage sheds, patios and decks. Brick ranch-style homes, built starting in the 1960s to the 1980s, and new traditional homes with subtle Craftsman features from the 1990s through the 2020s, cost between $160,000 and $320,000.
Lampkin Park’s many sports courts and Baker Arboretum’s art collection
Lampkin Park is the athletic hub of the community, with two basketball courts, two tennis courts, five softball fields, six volleyball courts and a futsal court. It also has a playground and a splash pad for younger children. Every summer, the green space hosts the Southern Kentucky Fair, which has been bringing livestock shows, live entertainment, carnival rides and games to the community for more than 70 years. Batting cages and two baseball diamonds make up Pedigo Park. The Baker Arboretum and Downing Museum started as the private residence of an avid plant enthusiast and art collector. Statues frolic on 115 acres of dogwoods, magnolias, Japanese maples and 17 endangered species of Kentucky-native plants. The adjacent museum houses the most comprehensive collection of work from Joe Downing, a Kentucky-born artist who mainly worked in Paris and received praise from Pablo Picasso himself.
International grocers, Mexican restaurants and Bosnian cuisine
Local restaurants and grocers can be found on Old Morgantown Road. Behar Café serves specialty Bosnian dishes like cevapi, or beef sausages that come on Bosnian flatbread. It also offers espresso drinks topped with fluffy whipped cream and packaged groceries imported from Eastern Europe. Authentic Mexican cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere can be found at La Placita or Taqueria y Cafeteria Los Vazquez farther west. Several international food stores line Old Morgantown Road as well, and a Walmart Supercenter is nearby.
Two different school districts serve Barren River
Barren River is served by two different school districts, and most students who live within city limits are zoned for Bowling Green Independent Schools. Dishman-McGinnis Elementary School and Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary School both earn B-minus grades from Niche. Students may move forward to Bowling Green Junior High School, which scores an A-minus, before potentially concluding their secondary studies at A-rated Bowling Green High School. Students there can choose between 18 Advanced Placement courses, as well as career and technical education programs in business, child development, medical arts, industrial maintenance and other fields.
Children living within the semicircle that U.S. Route 60 forms in Barren River may start their educational journeys at Warren Elementary School, which scores a B-minus, while those who live farther outside of city bounds may attend C-plus rated Lost River Elementary School. Henry F. Moss Middle School also receives a C-plus, while Warren Central High School maintains a B-minus.
U.S. Route 68 connects city, suburb and county, and buses run nearby
U.S. Route 68 encircles the suburban portion of Barren River and connects the surrounding rural properties to the city of Bowling Green. Interstate 165 runs through part of the community and eventually intersects with Interstate 65, which travels north to Louisville and south to Nashville. A couple of GOBG Transit buses stop in the neighborhood and continue throughout the city and the WKU campus. Western Kentucky University Transportation Services also maintains two free shuttles that pick riders up near Barren River.
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This 14.62± acre tract offers a fantastic opportunity for development or investment. With frontage on a main road, it provides great access and visibility. Conveniently located just off I-65 and near a brand-new elementary school, this property is situated in a fast-growing area with strong potential for residential or mixed-use projects. This tract can also be purchased with an adjoining 26.45±
This exceptional property offers a total of 41.07± acres, available as a whole or in two separate tracts — 26.45± acres and 14.62± acres. With frontage on two different roads, the property provides flexible access points and excellent visibility. Ideally located just off I-65 and near a brand-new elementary school, this site presents strong potential for residential or mixed-use development.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lonnie Gann,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
10,251
Median Age
29
Population under 18
30.6%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,177
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$43,241
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
68.9%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
8.8%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.1%
% Population in Labor Force
61.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
55''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
5''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
2/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
