Population 82,558 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Putnam County
Household size in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.36 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Putnam County are small: just 2.37 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.42, as it has 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.1 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.3 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.0 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.6 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.5 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
At 38.6, the median age in Putnam County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has crept up from 38.1 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Few Tennessee counties are younger: only eight of 95.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.0% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Putnam County than nationally: 9.9%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 0.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.9% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 38.3% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.5% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.8% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
About four in ten households in Putnam County rent their homes (38.8%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among owners, 43.5% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Tennessee's 95 counties, only four have a higher 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Putnam County is close to the national rate: 9.5% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.4 points, in line with the national trend.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Putnam County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Putnam County has newer homes than the great majority of Tennessee counties.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $589 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $631 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $756 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $964 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$375 | +$526 | +$606 |
Rent in Putnam County runs $964 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $375 a month since 2006–10, up 64%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 30.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.0% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.0% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Putnam County than nationally: 30.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.5 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.4% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.2% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.0% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.7% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Putnam County have finished high school as nationally: 88.7%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.3 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Putnam County runs below the national rate: 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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 | 2.37 | 38.6 | 9.9% | 38.8% | 9.5% | 1991 | $964 | 30.0% | 88.7% | 3.9% |
| Smith County | 2.57 | 40.8 | 9.9% | 23.1% | 9.9% | 1986 | $896 | 18.1% | 87.8% | 2.7% |
| Wilson County | 2.67 | 41.0 | 9.6% | 23.0% | 7.8% | 1997 | $1,686 | 38.2% | 93.6% | 3.2% |
| Morgan County | 2.72 | 41.9 | 10.7% | 15.1% | 16.6% | 1985 | $847 | 13.7% | 85.5% | 5.5% |
| Davidson County | 2.23 | 36.3 | 12.1% | 47.2% | 10.0% | 1985 | $1,674 | 47.3% | 89.7% | 4.5% |
| Anderson County | 2.44 | 42.7 | 11.5% | 28.3% | 9.0% | 1976 | $1,062 | 28.4% | 91.3% | 3.7% |
| Cheatham County | 2.55 | 41.5 | 8.5% | 18.5% | 7.5% | 1993 | $1,470 | 27.0% | 90.0% | 4.3% |
| Union County | 2.58 | 43.3 | 6.3% | 19.8% | 19.2% | 1991 | $825 | 14.0% | 86.2% | 2.4% |
| Dickson County | 2.57 | 40.6 | 10.4% | 19.7% | 8.8% | 1987 | $1,040 | 21.7% | 89.7% | 3.4% |
| Grainger County | 2.54 | 46.7 | 10.2% | 22.9% | 16.4% | 1991 | $872 | 16.2% | 85.9% | 4.3% |
| Jefferson County | 2.56 | 45.0 | 10.1% | 24.2% | 13.2% | 1988 | $914 | 20.4% | 89.0% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Franklin County, MA · Anderson County, TN · Jefferson County, WI · Island County, WA · Howard County, IN · Guaynabo Municipio, PR · Grays Harbor County, WA · Grand Forks County, ND · Glynn County, GA · Lee County, MS
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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