County · Tennessee
Putnam County, Tennessee
Putnam County, Tennessee. Putnam County had 86,612 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.4% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 4 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs) and 18 census tracts. GEOID 47141.
Putnam County is one of the 4 counties of the Cookeville, TN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
86,612
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 79,854 · ACS 2020-2024: 82,558
Median household income
$58,912
±$2,790 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$282,500
±$10,622 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$908
±$34 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Putnam County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 79,854 residents in Putnam County. The Census Bureau estimates 86,612 for July 1, 2025, up 8.4% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 82,558 over 401 square miles of land.
| Measure | Putnam County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 82,558 | 7,066,383 | +5,111 |
| Households | 33,601±441 | 2,824,277 | +2,177 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.03 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 36,506±107 | 3,143,670 | +2,170 |
Putnam County's population since 2000
From 62,315 in 2000 to 86,612 in 2025: up 39.0%. 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 4 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Cookeville with 38,212 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Cookeville | 34,842 | $51,375 |
|---|---|---|
| Algood | 3,963 | $42,359 |
| Monterey | 2,746 | $45,922 |
| Baxter | 1,578 | $58,750 |
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 36.0 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.4%. 5.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Putnam County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.0±0.4 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.9%±0.1 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5%±0.2 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.4% | 7.4% | +2.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.0%±0.3 pts | 71.0% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.2 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.7%±0.8 pts | 6.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.9%±0.8 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±0.7 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.5%±1.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.6%±1.2 pts | 10.0% | +2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.0%±1.1 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.8%±1.9 pts | 31.1% | +3.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.6%±1.2 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 33,601 households earn less than $58,912 a year (±$2,790), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $54,469 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,443 after inflation. 18.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Putnam County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,912±$2,790 | $69,595 | +$4,443 |
| Mean household income | $78,922±$3,232 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,985±$1,253 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.4%±1.8 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.7%±4.0 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.3%±1.6 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.9%±1.7 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 61.2% of Putnam County's occupied homes and renters 38.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $282,500 by its owner (±$10,622). The median renter pays $908 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Putnam County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $282,500±$10,622 | $286,700 | +$86,081 |
| Median gross rent | $908±$34 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1%±4.4 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,450±$51 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.2%±2.0 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 36,506±107 | 3,143,670 | +2,170 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2%±1.8 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.9%±1.9 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.9%±1.4 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 629 new housing units across Putnam County in 2025 (577 single-family), 7.3 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?
78.6% of Putnam County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Putnam County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.3%±1.3 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | −1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.6%±1.9 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7%±1.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±1.3 pts | 12.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min±0.9 | 25.7 min | −1.6 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 18 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $24,375 (Tract 3.04) to $90,743 (Tract 12.01).
| Tract 147141000100 | 5,600±451 | $49,118 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.0147141000201 | 5,587±716 | $57,995 |
| Tract 2.0247141000202 | 4,444±692 | $59,792 |
| Tract 3.0147141000301 | 3,168±393 | $87,167 |
| Tract 3.0347141000303 | 2,226±264 | $51,755 |
| Tract 3.0447141000304 | 4,551±710 | $24,375 |
| Tract 3.0547141000305 | 2,985±666 | $49,015 |
| Tract 447141000400 | 4,107±518 | $65,640 |
| Tract 547141000500 | 2,790±396 | $74,479 |
| Tract 647141000600 | 4,447±408 | $71,728 |
| Tract 747141000700 | 3,411±541 | $38,977 |
| Tract 847141000800 | 6,702±636 | $34,492 |
| Tract 947141000900 | 6,749±764 | $63,476 |
| Tract 1047141001000 | 4,523±614 | $69,122 |
| Tract 1147141001100 | 7,586±666 | $70,833 |
| Tract 12.0147141001201 | 6,999±930 | $90,743 |
| Tract 12.0247141001202 | 4,309±638 | $70,736 |
| Tract 1347141001300 | 2,374±394 | $75,104 |
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 Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 17th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th of 95 |
| Median household income | 50th of 95 |
| Median home value | 18th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th of 95 |
| Median age | 90th of 95 |
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.