The town and fort was improved during the government of Ambrosio O' Higgins and became an important post for containing the malones of the Pehuenches.

[4] According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Santa Bárbara spans an area of 3,379.5 km2 (1,305 sq mi) and has 19,970 inhabitants (10,835 men and 9,135 women).

[3] As a commune, Santa Bárbara is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

[1][2] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Santa Bárbara is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Juan Lobos (UDI) and José Pérez (PRSD) as part of the 47th electoral district, together with Los Ángeles, Tucapel, Antuco, Quilleco, Quilaco, Mulchén, Negrete, Nacimiento, San Rosendo, Laja and Alto Bío Bío.

The commune is represented in the Senate by Victor Pérez Varela (UDI) and Mariano Ruiz-Esquide Jara (PDC) as part of the 13th senatorial constituency (Biobío-Coast).