Population 22,855 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Putnam County
Household size in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.41 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.23 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.20 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Putnam County is a place of small households, averaging 2.23 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.43 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only five have smaller households.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.4 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.6 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.6 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Putnam County skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.6, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.0, in line with the national trend. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only 11 are older.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in twelve households in Putnam County (8.9%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Putnam County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Georgia 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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.1% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.2% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.1% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Putnam County is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About half of owners (48.9%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.1% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.4% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 31.9% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.5% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −11.6 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Putnam County: 19.5% 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. Vacancy has fallen 11.6 points since 2006–10, 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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Putnam County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1988, versus 1980 nationally. That is in line with the rest of Georgia. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $891 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $847 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $758 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,240 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$349 | +$609 | +$606 |
Rent in Putnam County runs $1,240 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $349 a month from 2006–10, a 39% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 34.8% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest 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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.2% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.9% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.6% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.0 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Putnam County than nationally: 31.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 12.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the west.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.9% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.3% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.8% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.6% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Putnam County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.7 points, mirroring the country.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Putnam County runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 4.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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 | 2.23 | 47.6 | 8.9% | 19.1% | 19.5% | 1988 | $1,240 | 31.6% | 86.6% | 3.6% |
| Hancock County | 2.41 | 48.9 | 16.7% | 20.7% | 36.4% | 1986 | $905 | 12.7% | 78.6% | 4.7% |
| Jasper County | 2.67 | 42.0 | 13.2% | 14.4% | 9.2% | 1993 | $1,129 | 19.7% | 89.9% | 7.5% |
| Butts County | 2.83 | 40.9 | 15.7% | 25.7% | 8.3% | 1993 | $1,109 | 15.1% | 84.3% | 2.7% |
| Warren County | 2.41 | 44.7 | 12.7% | 27.8% | 18.7% | 1980 | $682 | 12.6% | 77.6% | 10.4% |
| Glascock County | 2.85 | 35.0 | 11.6% | 32.4% | 25.9% | 1988 | $896 | 16.4% | 81.7% | 1.6% |
| Henry County | 2.97 | 37.9 | 14.1% | 25.1% | 6.6% | 2000 | $1,830 | 30.0% | 93.1% | 6.1% |
| McDuffie County | 2.69 | 41.1 | 16.1% | 35.0% | 13.8% | 1986 | $884 | 17.8% | 86.7% | 1.9% |
| Spalding County | 2.69 | 40.3 | 17.4% | 37.3% | 9.0% | 1983 | $1,165 | 17.7% | 85.4% | 7.0% |
| Fayette County | 2.78 | 44.2 | 10.5% | 19.9% | 5.5% | 1994 | $1,957 | 50.4% | 94.7% | 3.9% |
| Richmond County | 2.73 | 37.2 | 19.2% | 48.8% | 16.8% | 1982 | $1,226 | 25.2% | 87.3% | 9.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Union Parish, LA · Cherokee County, AL · Cherokee County, KS · Cherokee County, NC · Chester County, TN · Chickasaw County, MS · Chippewa County, MN · Churchill County, NV · Cibola County, NM · Claiborne County, TN
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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