Putnam County, TN

County

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2024 Population

82,558

US Senator

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Party

US Senator

Bill Hagerty

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

0.277% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

18.4%

8.43% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$58,912

4.2% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$282,500

14.5% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

39,797

2.13% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Putnam County, TN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.7% of the residents in Putnam County, TN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Putnam County, TN are Tennessee Technological University (2,515 degrees awarded in 2023), Genesis Career College-Cookeville (161 degrees), and Fortis Institute-Cookeville-Cookeville Campus-Archive2023 (124 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Putnam County, TN was $282,500, and the homeownership rate was 61.2%.

Most people in Putnam County, TN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Putnam County, TN was 2 cars per household.

Putnam County, TN borders Cumberland County, TN, DeKalb County, TN, Fentress County, TN, Jackson County, TN, Overton County, TN, Smith County, TN, and White County, TN.

United States Tennessee Cookeville, TN

Population & Diversity

Putnam County, TN is home to a population of 82.6k people, from which 96.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.68% of Putnam County, TN residents were born outside of the country (4.69k people).

In 2024, there were 26.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (70.2k people) in Putnam County, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.67k Other (Hispanic) and 2.5k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.7%

2024 Citizenship

97%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96.7% of Putnam County, TN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Putnam County, TN was 97%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Putnam County, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Putnam County, TN

White (Non-Hispanic)
70.2k ± 276
Other (Hispanic)
2.67k ± 680
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
2.5k ± 734

8.39%

Hispanic Population

6.93k people

8.39% of the people in Putnam County, TN are hispanic (6.93k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Putnam County, TN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
96,695 ± 7,581 people
Guatemala
27,777 ± 4,084 people
India
24,683 ± 3,850 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tennessee was Mexico, the natal country of 96,695 Tennessee residents, followed by Guatemala with 27,777 and India with 24,683.

Foreign-Born Population

5.68%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

4.69k people

5.4%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

4.4k people

As of 2024, 5.68% of Putnam County, TN residents (4.69k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Putnam County, TN was 5.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Putnam County, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,504 ± 277
Gulf War (2001-)
1,037 ± 302
Gulf War (1990s)
624 ± 198

Putnam County, TN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.45 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Putnam County, TN.

Economy

The economy of Putnam County, TN employs 39.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Putnam County, TN were Retail Trade (5,488 people), Manufacturing (5,456 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,951 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($77,353), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,786), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,594).

Employment

Occupations

39.8k

2024 Value

± 1,772

2.13%

1 Year growth

± 6.06%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Putnam County, TN grew at a rate of 2.13%, from 39k employees to 39.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Putnam County, TN, are Sales & Related Occupations (4,023 people), Management Occupations (3,952 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,857 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Putnam County, TN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Tennessee (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

39.8k

2024 Value

± 1,772

2.13%

1 Year growth

± 6.06%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Putnam County, TN grew at a rate of 2.13%, from 39k employees to 39.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Putnam County, TN, are Retail Trade (5,488 people), Manufacturing (5,456 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,951 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Putnam County, TN, though some of these residents may live in Putnam County, TN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,135

Median earning men ± $2,747

$32,829

Median earning women ± $1,842

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,652), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,938), and Information ($61,214).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($53,611), Public Administration ($50,134), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($45,250).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Y-Axis

3.15%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.29M people employed in Tennessee. This represents a 3.15% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Tennessee.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

143
Retail Trade
118
Other Services (except Public Administration)
93
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$295k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$280k
Manufacturing
$186k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.703%).

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing the state of Tennessee. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Putnam County, TN. Showing the available data for Tennessee.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.2%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (34.5%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.703%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.703%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Tennessee for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Tennessee

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Marsha Blackburn

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Bill Hagerty

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing Tennessee.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Tennessee over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Putnam County, TN awarded 2,816 degrees. The student population of Putnam County, TN in 2023 is skewed towards men, with 5,456 male students and 5,313 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Putnam County, TN are White (2,314 and 84.2%), Black or African American (142 and 5.17%), Hispanic or Latino (115 and 4.19%), and Two or More Races (87 and 3.17%).

The largest universities in Putnam County, TN by number of degrees awarded are Tennessee Technological University (2,515 and 89.3%), Genesis Career College-Cookeville (161 and 5.72%), and Fortis Institute-Cookeville-Cookeville Campus-Archive2023 (124 and 4.4%).

The most popular majors in Putnam County, TN are General Business Administration & Management (208 and 7.39%), Registered Nursing (206 and 7.32%), and Curriculum & Instruction (189 and 6.71%).

The median tuition cost in Putnam County, TN for a public four year colleges is $8,764 for in-state students and $18,796 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Putnam County, TN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 83.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 27.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 10,769 (50.7% men and 49.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 10,769 students enrolled in Putnam County, TN, 50.7% men and 49.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,414 records, of which 50.5% were women and 49.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
120 degrees awarded
General Interdisciplinary Studies
104 degrees awarded
Computer Science
129 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Putnam County, TN was Registered Nursing with 120 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Putnam County, TN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Tennessee Technological University
2,515 degrees awarded
Genesis Career College-Cookeville
161 degrees awarded
Fortis Institute-Cookeville-Cookeville Campus-Archive2023
124 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Tennessee Technological University with 2,515 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,202 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Putnam County, TN, which is 0.745 times less than the 1,614 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,314 degrees mean that there were 16.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 142 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 2-year ($14,450) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,320) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,280) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Putnam County, TN was $282,500 in 2024, which is 0.849 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $246,800 to $282,500, a 14.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Putnam County, TN is 61.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Putnam County, TN have an average commute time of 21.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Putnam County, TN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 12.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Putnam County, TN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.24%.

Housing

Property

$282,500

Median Property Value 2024

±$10,622

$20,562

Median Property Taxes

±$1,128

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Putnam County, TN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Putnam County, TN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.2%

Homeownership

2024

68.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 61.2% of the housing units in Putnam County, TN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 60.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Putnam County, TN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$58,912

Median Household Income

± $2,790

33.6k

Number of Households

± 1,545

In 2024, the median household income of the 33.6k households in Putnam County, TN grew to $58,912 from the previous year's value of $56,537.

The following chart displays the households in Putnam County, TN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Putnam County, TN is from Tennessee.

0.459

2023 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.462

2022 Wage GINI in Tennessee

In 2023, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.619% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Tennessee across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (78.6%)
Worked At Home (10.1%)
Carpooled (8.73%)

In 2024, 78.6% of workers in Putnam County, TN drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.1%) and those who carpooled to work (8.73%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Putnam County, TN have a shorter commute time (21.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.13% of the workforce in Putnam County, TN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Putnam County, TN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Putnam County, TN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Putnam County, TN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 12.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Putnam County, TN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.24%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

18.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Putnam County, TN (14.5k out of 78.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Putnam County, TN is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 18.6% of the children was living in poverty in Putnam County, TN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 10.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 397 in Putnam County, TN. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 39.1 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

89.4% of the population of Putnam County, TN has health coverage, with 44.4% on employee plans, 16.5% on Medicaid, 11.7% on Medicare, 15.3% on non-group plans, and 1.59% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Putnam County, TN see 1,503 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,503 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1498 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 373 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.7% were men and 50.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,503 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Putnam County, TN

Primary care physicians in Putnam County, TN see an average of 1,503 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,503 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Putnam County, TN in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.5% under 18 years, 25.7% between 18 and 34 years, 34.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.7% were men and 50.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.6%

Uninsured

44.4%

Employer Coverage

16.5%

Medicaid

11.7%

Medicare

15.3%

Non-Group

1.59%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Putnam County, TN grew by 10.8% from 9.54% to 10.6%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Putnam County, TN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 64.3 in Putnam County, TN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Putnam County, TN.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 38.4% in Putnam County, TN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Putnam County, TN.