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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Putnam County

Illinois · 5,637 residents · 160.097 sq mi
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The short version

Putnam County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $64,694. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $134,800. With a median age of 47.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,637
−7%since 2000
from 6,086 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
35 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 38 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.0
+19%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K6K6K6K1990201020202024Putnam County
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,694
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,492 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,902
+66%since 2000
from $19,792 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
40.9%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 33.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.3%
US avg: 10%
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance11.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services3.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$134,800
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$682
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $445 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
82.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 82.6% in 2000
17.8% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+7%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Putnam County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(5,817)
Black0.6%(37)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(171)
Asian0.3%(16)
Other0%
Diversity Score9%(547)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90%(5,073)
Black0.5%(26)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(348)
Asian0.3%(18)
Other1%(55)
Diversity Score18.9%(1,066)
Segregation Score10.6%(596)
Diversity Score
19
+110%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
11
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.0%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.7 min
+57%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.9%
+8.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.5%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.1%
−29.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.8%
−86.8 ptssince 2013
from 89.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Putnam County

Custer County
Pop 5,590
Lincoln County
Pop 5,603
Oneida County
Pop 5,085
Bear Lake County
Pop 6,727
Places similar to Putnam County
Head to head

Compare Putnam County to nearby counties

PUTNAM COUNTY VS
Marshall County
Income$71,585+11%
Home value$142,800+6%
Population11,473+104%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PUTNAM COUNTY VS
Bureau County
Income$69,257+7%
Home value$126,900−6%
Population32,510+479%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PUTNAM COUNTY VS
LaSalle County
Income$73,045+13%
Home value$161,900+20%
Population107,773+1818%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PUTNAM COUNTY VS
Stark County
Income$62,878−3%
Home value$104,500−22%
Population5,319−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Putnam County, Illinois?

Putnam County, Illinois has about 5,637 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Putnam County, Illinois?

The typical household in Putnam County, Illinois earns about $64,694 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Putnam County, Illinois expensive?

In Putnam County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $134,800, and the typical rent is about $682 a month.

How educated are people in Putnam County, Illinois?

About 19.2% of adults age 25 and over in Putnam County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Putnam County, Illinois?

About 9.6% of people in Putnam County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Putnam County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Putnam County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 93 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

2 census tracts
Census Tract 9546Census Tract 9545
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 61326ZIP 61327ZIP 61336ZIP 61340ZIP 61560ZIP 61335ZIP 61363
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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