In 2007, Barren County was named the number one rural place to live by The Progressive Farmer magazine.

[8] The same year, the community was selected as the seat of a new county, owing to its central location, its large spring, native John Gorin's donation of 50 acres (20 ha) for public buildings, and its being named for the Scottish hometown of the father of William Logan, one of the two commissioners charged with selecting the county seat.

There are many places that were part of the Underground Railroad in Glasgow, such as Big Spring Bottom for keeping horses and the Spotswood House on North Race Street for hiding enslaved people.

Other places include the Old Glasgow Seminary Home on East Main Street; this house has several rooms dug out in the earth with tunnels running into them for keeping the enslaved people hidden and safe.

Early in the war a Confederate sympathizer living in area raised a Palmetto flag, but it was soon taken by a group of Unionist who dipped it in barrel of tar and set it on fire.

[12] Western Kentucky University was originally in Glasgow when it was established in 1875, but 10 years later it moved to its present-day location in Bowling Green and serves as WKU's main campus.

[19] In November 2008, the city voted Yes on Proposition 8, making it legal for restaurants to sell liquor by the drink to the public; package sales were still prohibited.

In April 2010, the city council voted for a citywide smoking ban in all indoor public places.

[21] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

[22] Major employers in Glasgow include LSC Communications (formerly R. R. Donnelley, now closed), Akebono Brake Industry, Walmart, Nemak, and ACK Controls (a joint venture of Chuo Spring and Dura Automotive Systems).

Other employers include South Central Rural Telephone Cooperative and Glasgow Independent Schools.