Population 4,642 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Putnam County
Household size in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.23 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.16 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.67 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.69 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.46 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Putnam County average 2.69 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Missouri as a whole, where it has 2.49 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.23, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.3 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.9 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.8 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Putnam County skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Putnam County is older than at least four in five Missouri counties.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.4% of households in Putnam County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Putnam County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Missouri 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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.9% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.3% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −9.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Putnam County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 49.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Only five of Missouri's 115 counties have a lower share of renters.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.1% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 40.9% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.0% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +9.9 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 31.0% of the housing in Putnam County, 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. Few Missouri counties have a higher vacancy rate: only four of 115.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Putnam County are the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1980.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $557 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $599 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $632 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $513 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | −$44 | +$383 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Putnam County costs $513 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 29.5% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Few Missouri counties have lower rents: only three of 115.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.6% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.8% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Putnam County: 23.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Compared with other Missouri counties, though, Putnam County has a higher share of college graduates than most.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.2% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.6% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.4% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.5% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Putnam County: 95.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only two have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.6% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.5% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Putnam County than nationally: unemployment was 3.7%, against 5.4%. The picture is much the same across Missouri. 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 | 2.69 | 44.8 | 7.4% | 17.0% | 31.0% | 1980 | $513 | 23.8% | 95.5% | 3.7% |
| Schuyler County | 3.12 | 39.8 | 5.2% | 20.1% | 30.1% | 1965 | $411 | 12.3% | 92.8% | 3.3% |
| Mercer County | 2.64 | 42.9 | 11.2% | 19.0% | 27.5% | 1971 | $641 | 18.1% | 90.9% | 3.4% |
| Scotland County | 3.04 | 35.0 | 4.5% | 17.6% | 27.8% | 1974 | $491 | 14.6% | 73.3% | 0.2% |
| Harrison County | 2.56 | 43.9 | 9.0% | 28.6% | 20.1% | 1966 | $759 | 15.7% | 89.7% | 2.4% |
| Clark County | 2.69 | 44.7 | 5.4% | 21.7% | 24.1% | 1970 | $639 | 15.2% | 91.2% | 5.5% |
| Worth County | 2.26 | 49.2 | 10.3% | 17.9% | 24.5% | 1961 | $393 | 22.0% | 95.0% | 1.2% |
| Lee County | 2.25 | 43.7 | 13.9% | 23.7% | 9.7% | 1962 | $834 | 21.3% | 92.5% | 4.2% |
| Hancock County | 2.30 | 46.6 | 7.9% | 18.7% | 14.3% | 1963 | $777 | 25.1% | 93.5% | 4.2% |
| Nodaway County | 2.17 | 38.9 | 6.6% | 37.7% | 10.8% | 1975 | $739 | 29.9% | 95.3% | 2.4% |
| McDonough County | 2.10 | 38.6 | 8.6% | 36.5% | 15.4% | 1964 | $730 | 31.1% | 94.8% | 7.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Wabash County, IL · Charlotte County, VA · Charlton County, GA · Chase County, KS · Chase County, NE · Chattahoochee County, GA · Chautauqua County, KS · Cherokee County, IA · Cherry County, NE · Valley County, ID
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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