COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Putnam County

Tennessee · 51,373 residents · 401.106 sq mi

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Part of the Cookeville micropolitan area

The short version

Putnam County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $21,693. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 10,942 residents. Median home value is $55,000.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 32.2

US median: 33.0

Less educated

17% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 19%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

51,373

−18%vs 2000

vs 62,315 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

128 / sq mi

−18%vs 2000

vs 155 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

32.2

−6%vs 2000

vs 34.4 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202483K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$21,693

−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $30,914 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$11,004

−35%vs 2000

vs $16,927 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

16.6%

+0.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 16.4% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$55,000

−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $89,400 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$306

−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $441 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

66.8%

+1.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 65.6% in 2000

33.2% rent

Afford Score

2.5

−12%vs 2000

vs 2.9 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Putnam County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic93.2%(58,088)

Black1.7%(1,039)

Hispanic / Latino3%(1,891)

Asian0.9%(574)

Other0%

Diversity Score13.7%(8,508)

1990

White, non-Hispanic96.7%(49,695)

Black1.8%(925)

Hispanic / Latino0.8%(409)

Asian1%(529)

Other0.4%(224)

Diversity Score9.8%(5,040)

Diversity Score

−28%vs 2000

vs 14 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

16.8%

−3.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 20.2% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

63.2%

−9.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 72.6% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

7.3%

−0.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 7.7% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

16.1 min

+22%vs 2000

vs 13.2 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Putnam County

Head to head

Compare Putnam County to nearby counties

PUTNAM COUNTY VS

White County

Income$52,188+141%

Home value$207,200+277%

Population29,612−66%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

PUTNAM COUNTY VS

Jackson County

Income$47,951+121%

Home value$155,500+183%

Population12,466−86%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

PUTNAM COUNTY VS

Overton County

Income$48,959+126%

Home value$173,200+215%

Population23,787−73%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

PUTNAM COUNTY VS

DeKalb County

Income$53,153+145%

Home value$235,500+328%

Population21,873−75%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Putnam County, Tennessee?

Putnam County, Tennessee has about 51,373 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Putnam County, Tennessee earns about $21,693 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Putnam County, Tennessee expensive?

In Putnam County, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $55,000, and the typical rent is about $306 a month.

How educated are people in Putnam County, Tennessee?

About 16.8% of adults age 25 and over in Putnam County, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Putnam County, Tennessee?

About 16.6% of people in Putnam County, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →