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Barren

A township of 551 people in Franklin County, Illinois

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Around town

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The Barren album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Barren together

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Outdoors in Barren

Parks & trails →

Map of Barren: conserved land, trails and the top places to walk

Conserved land1.8%421 of 23,025 acres

Trails5.1 mi0.1 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves8named on the map

1Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area2.8 mi of trails · 1,574 acres Directions

2Sandusky Creek South Public Use Area0.1 mi of trails · 358 acres Directions

3North Marcum Recreation Area0.2 mi of trails · 271 acres

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Barren

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Barren

Township in Illinois, United States

551Population

36.2 sq miArea

427 ftElevation

Barren Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 551 and it contained 248 housing units.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

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Living in Barren

Work & commute in Barren

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Most working residents leave Barren for work: only 2% work in town. The top destinations are Mount Vernon (19%), Goode (8%) and Sesser (7%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Mount Vernon

19%

Goode

8%

Sesser

7%

Benton

5%

2%Work in townlive and work in Barren 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 135Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Barren →

Health in Barren

Compared with Illinois

1better than IL·12worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 19 are too close to call.

Conditions 7▼ 5 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

79.1%More adults treating high blood pressureIL 75.7% · better 16.6%More older adults who have lost all their teethIL 10.3% · worse

Care nearby

Franklin HospitalBenton · 5.9 mi · ER · rural critical access

Sesser Community Health CenterSesser · 2.9 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 62884, 62812, 62897 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Barren →

Natural hazards in Barren

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 71% of U.S. communities.

🏚️ Earthquakes🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves

0Does Barren flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 8 declared for Franklin County MapBarren vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Barren →

Climate in Barren

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Barren has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 24°, and about 8 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

44° / 26°Winter

67° / 45°Spring

87° / 65°Summer

68° / 46°Fall

How much snow does Barren get?About 8 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 28, with the last in spring around Apr 4.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Barren →

Libraries near Barren

Nearest: Sesser Public LibrarySesser · 3.6 miles · 37 hrs a week

Famous people from BarrenWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Barren.Meet them →

Where Barren is

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Locator map of Barren — Wikimedia Commons · Map: Omnedon · Public domain

Location map

Illinois · IL · Franklin CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

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How things work in Barren

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