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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Putnam County

Tennessee · 79,854 residents · 401.106 sq mi
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The short version

Putnam County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,160. Population has grown 28% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $164,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% 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
79,854
+28%since 2000
from 62,315 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
199 / sq mi
+28%since 2000
from 155 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.4
+6%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
48K58K67K76K86K1990201020202024Putnam County
202483K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,160
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,914 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,208
+49%since 2000
from $16,927 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.0%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.7%
US avg: 10%
Information13.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$164,000
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$735
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $441 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.4%
−6.3 ptssince 2000
from 65.6% in 2000
40.6% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+26%since 2000
from 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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.6%(66,782)
Black2.7%(2,161)
Hispanic / Latino7.8%(6,256)
Asian1.4%(1,086)
Other2.2%(1,763)
Diversity Score32.5%(25,949)
Segregation Score31.5%(25,143)
Diversity Score
32
+138%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.2%
+15.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.4 min
+69%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 84.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 8.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.6%
+3.6 ptssince 2011
from 56.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.6%
−26.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.2%
−75.1 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Putnam County

Bulloch County
Pop 86,949
Talladega County
Pop 81,603
Columbia County
Pop 74,094
Garland County
Pop 99,695
Places similar to Putnam County
Head to head

Compare Putnam County to nearby counties

PUTNAM COUNTY VS
White County
Income$52,188+16%
Home value$207,200+26%
Population29,612−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PUTNAM COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$47,951+6%
Home value$155,500−5%
Population12,466−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PUTNAM COUNTY VS
Overton County
Income$48,959+8%
Home value$173,200+6%
Population23,787−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PUTNAM COUNTY VS
DeKalb County
Income$53,153+18%
Home value$235,500+44%
Population21,873−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Putnam County, Tennessee?

Putnam County, Tennessee has about 79,854 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Putnam County, Tennessee earns about $45,160 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 $164,000, and the typical rent is about $735 a month.

How educated are people in Putnam County, Tennessee?

About 26.4% 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 17.8% of people in Putnam County, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Putnam County, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Putnam County, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 28,481 residents, a change of about 55 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

18 census tracts
Census Tract 11Census Tract 12.01Census Tract 9Census Tract 8Census Tract 1Census Tract 2.01Census Tract 3.04Census Tract 10Census Tract 6Census Tract 2.02Census Tract 12.02Census Tract 4Census Tract 7Census Tract 3.01Census Tract 3.05Census Tract 5Census Tract 13Census Tract 3.03
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 38501ZIP 38506ZIP 38574ZIP 38544ZIP 38582ZIP 38548ZIP 38505ZIP 38503
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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