Bowling Green, the seat of Warren county, is located on the Barren River. The town was founded in 1798 as Bolin Green and in 1802 the post office opened as Bowling Green. The name may be from Bowling Green, Virginia or a local bowling green. The population in 1990 was 40,641.

Bowling Green is the home of Western Kentucky University.

The Warren County Courthouse in Bowling Green.