With 57,177 people, Putnam County is a county in West Virginia. That puts it in the top 5% of US counties for household income. Owners hold 82% of the housing stock. 1% of residents were born outside the United States. That is roughly 33% ahead of the West Virginia median. At a median age of 42.6, this is an older place than the country as a whole.
At a glance
Average income
median household income $79,527, near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Putnam County
What changed most since 1990
White share98.8% → 93.6%(−5.2 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)28.5%(1,016)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)24.1%(860)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era34.9%(1,245)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.3%(81)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1.5%(53)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 3,565 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Putnam County, decade by decade
Putnam County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
42,835
$65,774
$150,724
13.3%
3.0
2000
51,589
$76,313
$168,685
19.7%
5.9
2010
55,486
$75,695
$194,495
23.8%
9.3
2020
57,440
$77,515
$212,955
26.3%
17.9
2024
57,177
$79,527
$223,300
29.1%
15.2
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Putnam County, West Virginia?
Putnam County, West Virginia has about 57,177 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Putnam County, West Virginia?
The typical household in Putnam County, West Virginia earns about $79,527 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Putnam County, West Virginia expensive?
In Putnam County, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $223,300, and the typical rent is about $952 a month.
How educated are people in Putnam County, West Virginia?
About 29.1% of adults age 25 and over in Putnam County, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Putnam County, West Virginia?
About 10.6% of people in Putnam County, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.
Has Putnam County, West Virginia grown since 1990?
Yes, Putnam County, West Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,342 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.
