countyscore
45.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 66.9Schools 65.4Water Quality 63.4

County Report Card

About Putnam County, Georgia

Putnam County Scores Below National Median

Putnam County's composite score of 43.8 is several points lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates that while the county has specific strengths, its overall profile lags the national average.

A Gap Compared to Georgia Average

At 43.8, Putnam County is trailing the state average of 46.7. This performance suggests the county faces more developmental challenges than many other regions in Georgia.

Strong Schools and Low Property Taxes

The county excels in education with a school score of 65.4. It also attracts residents with a high tax score of 60.4, thanks to a low effective tax rate of 0.723%.

Cost and Health Barriers to Growth

Housing affordability is a challenge, as evidenced by a low cost score of 26.9 and home values near $222,000. Additionally, a health score of 29.0 suggests that residents may have limited access to medical services.

Ideal for Families Prioritizing Education

Putnam County is well-suited for families who value a strong school system and low property taxes. Those moving here should be prepared for higher housing prices relative to the local health infrastructure.

2040608010062.230.637.52965.466.946.763.444.9Tax62.2Cost30.6Safety37.5Health29Schools65.4Income66.9Risk46.7Water63.4Weather44.945.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Putnam County DNA

Foverall

How Putnam County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Putnam County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (66.9/100) but notably weak in Health (29/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.2+10.200000000000003
Cost
30.6-17.4
Safety
37.5-17.5
Health
29-21
Schools
65.4+11.400000000000006
Income
66.9+15.900000000000006
Risk
46.7
Water
63.4
Weather
44.9-11.100000000000001
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Compare mortgage rates in Putnam County

Whether buying or refinancing in Putnam County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$249,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,002/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$249,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,096/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

4.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Putnam County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Putnam County

via TaxByCounty

Putnam offers Georgia's lowest tax rate

Putnam County's effective tax rate of 0.723% is among the lowest in Georgia and well below the national median, making it highly tax-efficient for property owners. Even with a median home value of $222,000, the median annual tax bill is just $1,604—still less than 60% of the national median.

Lowest-taxed county in Georgia

Putnam County's 0.723% effective rate ranks significantly below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it the clear tax leader in this region. The median tax bill of $1,604 is $75 above the state median, but achieved through a much lower rate on higher property values.

Unbeatable rate versus region peers

Putnam County's 0.723% rate decisively undercuts all nearby counties: Pike (0.924%), Pierce (0.915%), Pulaski (0.912%), and Polk (0.799%), making it the county's clear tax advantage. Despite higher home values, Putnam's low rate keeps tax bills competitive across the region.

Median home costs $1,604 in taxes

On Putnam County's median home value of $222,000 and exceptionally low rate of 0.723%, homeowners pay approximately $1,604 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, that total reaches about $1,793, remarkable value for the county's higher-priced homes.

Still worth auditing your assessment

Even Putnam County's lowest-in-class rate can't prevent the occasional overassessment. Review your assessed value against recent sales of comparable homes—a successful appeal could reduce your already-low tax bill even further.

Income & Jobs in Putnam County

via IncomeByCounty

Putnam approaches national income parity

Putnam County's median household income of $64,163 sits 14% below the national median of $74,755, putting it modestly below the U.S. average. The gap is smaller than many rural counties, reflecting Putnam's relatively stronger economic foundation.

Above-average earner in Georgia

At $64,163, Putnam County exceeds Georgia's state median of $60,488 by 6%, ranking in the upper-middle tier among Georgia counties. Its per capita income of $42,671 substantially surpasses the state average of $31,115 by 37%, suggesting higher-earning households.

Strong performer in its region

Putnam's median income outpaces nearby Polk ($55,308), Pierce ($56,691), and substantially exceeds Pulaski ($47,688), though lags behind Pike County's $84,184. The county stands as a solid economic performer within its local geography.

Housing absorbs significant income share

Putnam's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% exceeds the 15% affordability benchmark, indicating housing costs consume close to one-fifth of household earnings. The median home value of $222,000 reflects stronger property values and an active real estate market.

Leverage higher per capita income wisely

Putnam's strong per capita income of $42,671 provides genuine capacity for wealth-building investments and diversification beyond primary residence. Establishing automated contributions to tax-advantaged savings accounts can compound meaningful assets over time.

Safety in Putnam County

via CrimeByCounty

Putnam County's National Safety Standing

Putnam County has a safety score of 97.7, placing it among the safer counties in the country. Its total crime rate of 1,441.1 per 100,000 is much lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Matching Georgia's Safety Standards

With a safety score of 97.7, Putnam County aligns almost perfectly with the Georgia state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1,441.1 is very close to the state average of 1,412.9.

Consistent Regional Security

Monitoring through two reporting agencies shows that Putnam County maintains safety levels consistent with its neighbors. It serves as a middle-ground county for safety within the Central Georgia region.

Violent vs. Property Crime Realities

Violent crime is relatively low at 234.2 per 100,000 residents. Property crime is the more frequent issue at 1,206.9, though this is still 40% lower than the national property crime average.

Securing Your Putnam Property

Effective property security starts with basic habits like locking windows and utilizing smart home technology. These simple steps help keep Putnam's crime rates well below the national mark.

Soil Quality in Putnam County

via SoilByCounty

Identity Insights for Putnam County

While specific pH and soil order data for Putnam County are currently missing, most local soils require some adjustment to reach the 6.5 national median. A professional lab test provides the most accurate starting point for your land.

Determine Your Own Texture Mix

Data for sand, silt, and clay percentages are not currently available for this county. Understanding whether you have sandy soil or heavy clay is the first step toward efficient irrigation and fertilization.

Maximizing Your Soil's Potential

Organic matter and available water capacity remain unrecorded for Putnam County. You can improve your soil's natural fertility and water retention by adding high-quality compost and mulch.

Navigating Local Hydrology

Public records do not currently specify the drainage class or hydrologic group for this area. Identifying the low spots on your property after a rainstorm will help you choose the right plants for each location.

Welcome to Zone 8b Gardening

Putnam County is in hardiness zone 8b, providing a wonderful climate for figs, camellias, and various summer vegetables. Grab a shovel and start exploring the possibilities of your local plot.

Lawn Care in Putnam County

via LawnByCounty

A Favorable Forecast in Putnam

With a lawn difficulty score of 43.0, Putnam County is one of the easier places in Georgia to maintain a lawn. This score is significantly higher than the state average of 35.8, though still below the national median of 50.0. Zone 8b conditions here provide a relatively balanced environment for common southern grasses.

Consistent Warmth and Average Rainfall

Putnam County averages 78 extreme heat days per year, which is higher than the state average but tempered by 48.2 inches of rain. This rainfall is near the ideal range of 30-50 inches for healthy lawn development. The consistent warmth ensures a long growing season that keeps lawns active well into the autumn months.

Check Your Ground Conditions

There is currently no specific soil data for Putnam County, so observing your yard's drainage after a heavy rain is essential. If water pools for hours, you likely have the heavy clay typical of central Georgia and may need to incorporate sand or compost. Testing your pH will help you determine if the soil needs lime to reach the 6.0 to 7.0 sweet spot.

Resilience During Drier Periods

While 100% of the county is abnormally dry, only 25.5% is currently in severe drought, which is better than many neighboring counties. Putnam has faced 21 weeks of drought in the past year, requiring occasional water restrictions. You can maintain a healthy lawn by choosing drought-tolerant species and using smart irrigation controllers.

Thriving Lawns Start in Spring

Zoysia grass is a popular and effective choice for Putnam County because it balances drought tolerance with a soft texture. Because frost dates can vary, watch for local patterns before starting your seeding or sodding in late March or April. With its higher-than-average difficulty score, your efforts here are likely to yield great results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Putnam County's county score?
Putnam County, Georgia has a composite county score of 45.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Putnam County rank among counties in Georgia?
Putnam County ranks #97 among all counties in Georgia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Putnam County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Putnam County is $1,698, with an effective tax rate of 0.68%. This earns Putnam County a tax score of 62.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Putnam County?
The median household income in Putnam County, Georgia is $72,096 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Putnam County earns an income score of 66.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Putnam County, Georgia a good place to live?
Putnam County scores 45.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #97 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Putnam County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Putnam County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.