Population 57,177 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Putnam County
Household size in Putnam County
| Period | Putnam County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.61 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.63 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Putnam County has 2.48 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. West Virginia as a whole looks much the same. Household size has dropped from 2.61 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.9 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.0 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.0 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.9 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Putnam County is 42.0 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 41.1 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the southwest and oldest in the north.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.9% of households in Putnam County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other West Virginia counties, Putnam County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.2% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.2% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Putnam County is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly half of owners (47.2%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 4.1 points from 2006–10, 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Putnam County: 7.9% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other West Virginia county has a lower vacancy rate.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Putnam County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east. Only two of West Virginia's 55 counties have newer homes.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $681 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $735 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $844 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $960 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$279 | +$327 | +$606 |
Rent in Putnam County runs $960 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in West Virginia as a whole ($905). Rents are up $279 a month from 2006–10, a 41% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.3% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.5% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.9% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.6% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Putnam County than nationally: 29.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Still, the share is higher than in West Virginia as a whole (25.0%). The share with a degree has risen 4.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only five of West Virginia's 55 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.0% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.8% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.2% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.9% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Putnam County is above the national rate: 93.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 4.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Few West Virginia counties have a higher share of high school graduates: only two of 55.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.5% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Putnam County has been low: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few West Virginia counties have lower unemployment: only four of 55. 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 | 2.48 | 42.0 | 7.9% | 18.2% | 7.9% | 1987 | $960 | 29.6% | 93.9% | 3.1% |
| Kanawha County | 2.35 | 44.2 | 11.4% | 28.9% | 16.1% | 1967 | $973 | 30.8% | 91.7% | 5.6% |
| Cabell County | 2.29 | 40.9 | 9.9% | 35.8% | 14.6% | 1970 | $964 | 33.4% | 90.7% | 5.5% |
| Lawrence County | 2.55 | 42.9 | 12.6% | 27.7% | 14.9% | 1975 | $866 | 18.9% | 90.4% | 2.8% |
| Boyd County | 2.40 | 43.5 | 14.6% | 29.8% | 12.2% | 1972 | $844 | 20.2% | 90.1% | 6.4% |
| Clay County | 2.62 | 43.5 | 13.5% | 24.0% | 24.2% | 1985 | $620 | 11.4% | 84.6% | 12.7% |
| Greenup County | 2.42 | 44.1 | 9.3% | 19.7% | 9.5% | 1976 | $907 | 19.2% | 89.3% | 6.9% |
| Carter County | 2.39 | 42.2 | 7.3% | 20.0% | 11.5% | 1985 | $713 | 15.5% | 83.8% | 5.7% |
| Lewis County | 2.54 | 41.8 | 12.1% | 20.8% | 14.5% | 1985 | $729 | 16.2% | 80.6% | 5.3% |
| Webster County | 2.81 | 48.2 | 8.6% | 22.7% | 31.0% | 1975 | $703 | 12.5% | 82.2% | 8.6% |
| Fleming County | 2.63 | 41.2 | 12.5% | 25.2% | 13.1% | 1984 | $680 | 18.8% | 84.2% | 7.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Elko County, NV · Vernon Parish, LA · Vermilion Parish, LA · Venango County, PA · Vega Baja Municipio, PR · Van Zandt County, TX · Hamblen County, TN · Grant County, IN · Gordon County, GA · Georgetown County, SC
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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