Population 34,314 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Putnam County
Household size in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.68 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.62 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
At 2.59 people per household, Putnam County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in Ohio as a whole, where it has 2.46 people. Household size has dropped from 2.68 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.2 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.8 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.0 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.7 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Putnam County is 41.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.2, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the west.
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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.0% of households in Putnam County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 3.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Ohio county has a lower share of single-parent households.
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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.2% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.1% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.4% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Putnam County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 12.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 3.3 points, even as the national share rose. Only one other Ohio county has 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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Putnam County than nationally: 5.9%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Putnam County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Ohio counties.
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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1968 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Putnam County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1969, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the southeast.
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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $592 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $703 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $690 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $841 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$249 | +$377 | +$606 |
Rent in Putnam County runs $841 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $249 a month since 2006–10, up 42%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 21.9% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the northeast; 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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.1% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.0% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.8% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.4% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults 25 and older in Putnam County (26.4%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the northwest.
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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.9% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.8% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.7% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.3% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Putnam County: 95.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only four of Ohio's 88 counties 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 | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.9% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Putnam County has been low: just 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only two of Ohio's 88 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | 2.59 | 41.7 | 5.0% | 12.9% | 5.9% | 1969 | $841 | 26.4% | 95.3% | 1.7% |
| Hancock County | 2.37 | 41.6 | 10.0% | 29.2% | 8.4% | 1970 | $1,007 | 30.2% | 95.6% | 3.1% |
| Paulding County | 2.49 | 41.8 | 10.7% | 19.9% | 10.5% | 1971 | $812 | 17.0% | 90.5% | 3.3% |
| Seneca County | 2.38 | 41.5 | 12.0% | 26.6% | 8.5% | 1960 | $848 | 20.5% | 93.4% | 3.4% |
| Allen County | 2.59 | 37.1 | 12.3% | 31.1% | 6.7% | 1978 | $1,176 | 32.3% | 89.6% | 4.7% |
| Whitley County | 2.48 | 41.1 | 9.4% | 18.2% | 7.3% | 1976 | $905 | 23.1% | 92.5% | 3.3% |
| Huron County | 2.48 | 40.7 | 12.4% | 26.0% | 9.8% | 1967 | $884 | 16.7% | 90.7% | 4.5% |
| Fulton County | 2.53 | 41.8 | 10.2% | 19.9% | 14.9% | 1965 | $871 | 17.0% | 88.8% | 6.7% |
| Medina County | 2.55 | 43.8 | 7.5% | 19.7% | 5.1% | 1985 | $1,338 | 37.2% | 94.5% | 3.0% |
| Pulaski County | 2.54 | 43.9 | 10.4% | 25.4% | 15.8% | 1968 | $725 | 14.1% | 88.5% | 2.2% |
| Summit County | 2.37 | 42.6 | 11.8% | 32.5% | 7.7% | 1968 | $1,210 | 36.0% | 92.7% | 5.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Wabash County, IN · Clay County, IN · Clinton County, IL · Clinton County, IN · Clinton County, OH · Clinton County, PA · Coamo Municipio, PR · Cocke County, TN · Uvalde County, TX · Clatsop County, OR
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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