The Great Bend Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Barton County.
Barton County's population was estimated to be 27,511 in the year 2006, a decrease of 617, or -2.2%, over the previous six years.
As of the U.S. Census in 2000, there were 28,205 people, 11,393 households, and 7,530 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 12,888 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.98% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.51% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.31% of the population.
There were 11,393 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,176, and the median income for a family was $39,929. Males had a median income of $28,803 versus $20,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,695. About 9.90% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.