Population 75,164 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Putnam County
Household size in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.59 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Putnam County run small, averaging 2.42 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.50, as it has nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.1 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.7 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.6 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.2 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.2, Putnam County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 43.1, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.0% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.1% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Putnam County (14.1%), above the national share of 11.6%. Putnam County has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Florida counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Putnam County
Renters in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.8% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.3% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.6% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.6% of households in Putnam County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 61.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the west. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.4 points, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.7% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Putnam County: 14.7% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Putnam County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. Still, homes here are older than in Florida as a whole, where the median home dates to 1989. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $604 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $683 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $739 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $915 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$311 | +$724 | +$606 |
Rent in Putnam County runs $915 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $311 a month from 2006–10, a 51% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.9% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Putnam County
Bachelor's degrees in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.4% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.0% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Putnam County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 14.0%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Putnam County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Florida counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.0% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.2% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.5% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.9% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Putnam County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 3.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Putnam County has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Florida counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.2% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Putnam County: 7.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Of Florida's 67 counties, only six have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Putnam County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | 2.42 | 44.2 | 14.1% | 24.6% | 14.7% | 1984 | $915 | 14.0% | 81.9% | 7.2% |
| Flagler County | 2.46 | 51.2 | 8.7% | 17.0% | 12.9% | 2001 | $1,696 | 31.0% | 93.3% | 4.2% |
| St. Johns County | 2.74 | 44.7 | 7.1% | 17.8% | 10.5% | 2005 | $2,274 | 53.0% | 96.1% | 3.1% |
| Clay County | 2.75 | 41.3 | 10.5% | 24.1% | 6.7% | 1995 | $1,739 | 27.9% | 92.5% | 3.7% |
| Bradford County | 2.65 | 41.2 | 15.5% | 26.7% | 14.1% | 1985 | $958 | 14.9% | 83.5% | 4.4% |
| Alachua County | 2.32 | 35.9 | 9.6% | 45.9% | 9.7% | 1988 | $1,427 | 50.5% | 94.7% | 4.5% |
| Marion County | 2.45 | 47.3 | 10.9% | 22.5% | 12.4% | 1992 | $1,403 | 23.4% | 89.3% | 4.9% |
| Union County | 2.59 | 37.6 | 11.5% | 25.3% | 11.3% | 1991 | $942 | 12.6% | 82.4% | 5.5% |
| Levy County | 2.49 | 47.0 | 13.2% | 18.6% | 12.5% | 1993 | $823 | 15.7% | 87.7% | 4.6% |
| Gilchrist County | 2.55 | 43.6 | 12.9% | 14.3% | 8.4% | 1997 | $1,040 | 15.7% | 86.9% | 3.3% |
| Columbia County | 2.50 | 42.1 | 14.4% | 27.5% | 10.6% | 1989 | $1,045 | 17.0% | 86.2% | 6.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Greene County, TN · Toa Baja Municipio, PR · St. Landry Parish, LA · Leavenworth County, KS · Kosciusko County, IN · Jackson County, GA · Indiana County, PA · Henderson County, TX · Hancock County, OH · Hancock County, IN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Putnam County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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