Barren County, Kentucky
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
While Barren County's situation varies by ZIP, its 6 ZIP codes collectively fall below the state average — addressing specific concerns starts with checking the system that serves a given address.
How Barren County Compares
How Barren County Compares
Barren County scores 10 points below the Kentucky state average (61/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Barren County, Kentucky
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $483, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.33% avg pipe failure probability
57% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Barren County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 13 total (13 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $483
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
18,140 housing units in Barren County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Barren County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Barren County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Barren County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caveland Environmental Authority, Inc. | 3,264 | 2 |
| 2 | GLASGOW WATER COMPANY | 36,766 | 2 |
| 3 | GREEN RIVER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT | 17,431 | 2 |
| 4 | Horse Cave Water System | 2,744 | 2 |
| 5 | Mammoth Cave/central System | 5,000 | 2 |
9 total water systems serve Barren County.
All ZIP Codes in Barren County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Barren County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42142 | Glasgow | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 2 | 42141 | Glasgow | 65 | C | 0 | $171K |
| 3 | 42127 | Cave City | 54 | D | 2 (1 health) | $162K |
| 4 | 42130 | Eighty Eight | 40 | D | 0 | $191K |
| 5 | 42160 | Park City | 40 | D | 0 | $153K |
| 6 | 42163 | Rocky Hill | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Barren County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 57% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Barren County, Kentucky
Overview
Barren County in Kentucky covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
1 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.
← Back to Kentucky water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Barren County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
57% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.