[3] It was named for Jefferson County pioneer Joseph Barnett.

Pennsylvania Route 36 crosses the township, leading northwest to Leeper and south to Brookville, the Jefferson county seat.

Pennsylvania Route 899 leads north from PA 36 towards Marienville.

[3] As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 272 people, 124 households, and 79 families residing in the township.

31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.