County · Missouri
Putnam County, Missouri
Putnam County, Missouri. Putnam County had 4,546 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.8% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. It holds 16 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 29171.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,546
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,681 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,642
Median household income
$63,510
±$7,766 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$119,500
±$14,601 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$521
±$96 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Putnam County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,681 residents in Putnam County. The Census Bureau estimates 4,546 for July 1, 2025, down 2.8% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 4,642 over 517 square miles of land.
| Measure | Putnam County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,642 | 6,191,814 | −139 |
| Households | 1,791±148 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.21 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,834±14 | 2,825,287 | −158 |
Putnam County's population since 2000
From 5,223 in 2000 to 4,546 in 2025: down 13.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Putnam County?
Putnam County holds 16 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Union Township, Putnam County with 2,086 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Union Township, Putnam County | 2,142 | $70,357 |
|---|---|---|
| Unionville | 1,735 | $61,406 |
| Wilson Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917180242 | 566 | $50,846 |
| Elm TownshipGEOID 2917121952 | 514 | $54,531 |
| Lincoln Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917142842 | 270 | $74,763 |
| Liberty Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917142284 | 195 | not published |
| Richland Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917161580 | 194 | not published |
| Grant Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917128522 | 185 | $85,139 |
| York TownshipGEOID 2917181340 | 184 | $44,100 |
| Medicine Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917147126 | 163 | $29,453 |
| Jackson Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917136026 | 144 | $26,411 |
| Sherman Township, Putnam CountyGEOID 2917167466 | 124 | not published |
| LucerneGEOID 2944372 | 57 | $47,813 |
| LivoniaGEOID 2943454 | 52 | $36,250 |
| WorthingtonGEOID 2981106 | 47 | not published |
| PowersvilleGEOID 2959420 | 42 | $43,700 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Putnam County?
The median resident of Putnam County is 45.9 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 25.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.0%.
| Measure | Putnam County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9±3.1 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6%±0.4 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.0%±0.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% | 5.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.1%±1.5 pts | 76.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±1.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.3%±2.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±2.9 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.6%±3.8 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.6%±4.3 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2%±2.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.6%±4.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8%±2.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±1.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Putnam County earn?
Half of Putnam County's 1,791 households earn less than $63,510 a year (±$7,766), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $52,734 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,776 after inflation. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Putnam County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,510±$7,766 | $70,702 | +$10,776 |
| Mean household income | $79,666±$8,705 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,778±$4,798 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.5%±5.1 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.8%±8.5 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5%±3.5 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 75.9%±5.1 pts | 89.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Putnam County?
Owners occupy 83.0% of Putnam County's occupied homes and renters 17.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $119,500 by its owner (±$14,601). The median renter pays $521 a month including utilities, and 48.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Putnam County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $119,500±$14,601 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $521±$96 | $1,033 | −$183 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.3%±20.8 pts | 36.6% | +24.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,108±$116 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.0%±4.8 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,834±14 | 2,825,287 | −158 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.6%±3.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±8.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.0%±4.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.7%±3.7 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.3%±4.1 pts | 13.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Putnam County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Putnam County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Putnam County get to work?
76.4% of Putnam County's workers drive alone and 10.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.4 minutes.
| Measure | Putnam County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.1%±3.8 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±2.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.4%±6.7 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.7%±4.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.3%±4.9 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.4 min±2.8 | 23.5 min | −5.5 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Putnam County's census tracts?
Putnam County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,063 (Tract 9602) to $72,321 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960129171960100 | 2,626±266 | $72,321 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960229171960200 | 2,016±266 | $58,063 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Putnam County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 110th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 104th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 110th of 115 |
| Median household income | 41st of 115 |
| Median home value | 99th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 112th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 48th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 115 |
| Median age | 14th of 115 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Putnam County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.