CountyScore

Putnam County

Illinois · IL

#8 in Illinois
70.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Putnam County, Illinois

Putnam County Exceeds National Benchmark

Putnam County's composite score of 65.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 31%, positioning it in the upper half of American counties. The county delivers measurably better livability than the typical U.S. community.

Above Average in Illinois

Putnam County scores 65.7, exceeding Illinois's state average of 62.1 by more than 3 points. The county ranks solidly in the upper tier of livability performers statewide.

Strong Income and Moderate Costs

Putnam County's income score of 34.0 reflects a median household income of $77,526, among the group's strongest earnings profiles. Its cost score of 79.7 keeps median home values at $167,800 and rents at $804, creating reasonable affordability for this income level.

Tax Rate Moderately Elevated

Putnam's effective tax rate of 1.590% ranks above average for the county group, offsetting some livability gains. We're still assembling data on schools, health, safety, and environmental quality.

Suits Middle-Income Wage Earners

Putnam County appeals to established professionals and families earning solid incomes who accept moderate taxes in exchange for reasonable housing stability. The county offers balance and predictability for those with stable employment.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax57.5Cost79.7SafetyComing SoonHealth78.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome34Risk90.9WaterComing Soon
🏛57.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Putnam County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elmore County
Alabama
70.9
Median income: $75,553
Randolph County
Arkansas
70.9
Median income: $52,838
Wilcox County
Georgia
70.9
Median income: $48,036
Greene County
Iowa
70.9
Median income: $59,159
Taylor County
Iowa
70.9
Median income: $67,279

Deep Dives

Putnam County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Putnam County

via TaxByCounty

Putnam County taxes: Near national average

At 1.59%, Putnam County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 2.10%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $2,668 is virtually identical to the national median of $2,690, reflecting balanced home values and a moderate rate.

Putnam slightly below Illinois average

Putnam County's 1.59% effective rate is slightly lower than the Illinois state average of 1.83%, positioning it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Its median property tax of $2,668 is 4% below the state average of $2,782, offering modest savings compared to typical Illinois counties.

Putnam in the middle of regional peers

Putnam County's 1.59% rate ranks between Pike County (1.56%, lowest) and Perry County (1.66%), placing it in the moderate zone for the region. It significantly outperforms Piatt County (1.76%) but cannot match Pope County's exceptional 1.02% rate.

What a Putnam County homeowner pays

On the median home value of $167,800, Putnam County's 1.59% effective rate translates to approximately $2,668 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,876; without one, closer to $2,509—right in line with national norms.

Challenge inflated assessments

Many Illinois homeowners in Putnam County may be paying taxes on assessed values that exceed their homes' current market worth. Filing a property tax appeal could unlock significant savings if your assessment is out of step with reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Putnam County

via CostByCounty

Putnam County balances income and costs

Putnam County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio sits well below the state average of 14.7%, supported by a median household income of $77,526, just above the national average. This balance delivers strong affordability for renters paying $804 monthly.

Putnam ranks in Illinois's top tier

Putnam County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio places it among Illinois's most affordable counties, outperforming the state average by over 2 percentage points. The county combines reasonable incomes with moderate housing costs for genuine affordability.

Putnam splits the difference regionally

Putnam County's $804 median rent sits between Pike ($659) and Piatt ($950), while its median income of $77,526 outpaces Perry, Pike, and Pulaski significantly. This positions Putnam as a middle ground for those seeking balanced affordability with solid earning potential.

Renters and owners both find value

Putnam County renters pay $804 monthly while homeowners pay $936 for the $167,800 median home, with income sufficient to carry both comfortably. Housing consumes just 12.4% of the $77,526 median household income, leaving healthy savings capacity.

Putnam for balanced living

Putnam County rewards households earning $75,000+ with strong affordability and reasonable housing costs. If you seek a middle path between Pope's bargain rents and Piatt's higher costs, Putnam offers genuine value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Putnam County

via IncomeByCounty

Putnam County outearns the nation

Putnam County's median household income of $77,526 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 4%, positioning it among stronger-earning counties nationally. This reflects stable rural employment and reasonable cost of living.

Above Illinois state average

Putnam County earns $8,946 more than the Illinois state median of $68,580, ranking above most peer counties. Per capita income of $40,036 also outpaces the state average of $36,009 by 11%.

Second-strongest regional earner

Putnam County's $77,526 ranks second highest among the eight surveyed counties, trailing only Piatt ($87,516) by $10,000. This places Putnam firmly in the upper-income tier of the regional cohort.

Balanced housing affordability

Putnam County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio indicates strong housing affordability, well below the 15% threshold. The median home value of $167,800 remains accessible to households earning the county median.

Position yourself for long-term gains

Putnam County households earning above-average incomes can accelerate wealth building through regular investment contributions and strategic asset allocation. Combining strong earnings with disciplined financial planning creates powerful compounding opportunities over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Putnam County

via HealthByCounty

Putnam County leads on longevity

Putnam County residents live to 79.8 years on average—nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 81.1 years—and among the longest-lived in Illinois. Just 15.3% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, reflecting excellent population health.

Illinois's longest life expectancy

Putnam County leads Illinois with a 79.8-year life expectancy, outpacing the state average of 76.0 years by 3.8 years. Its 15.3% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's best, placing Putnam County as one of Illinois's healthiest communities.

Exceptional health compared to region

Putnam County's 79.8-year life expectancy is the highest in its region, exceeding Piatt County (78.4 years) and all other neighbors. Its 15.3% poor/fair health rate also stands out as exceptional, making Putnam a regional health beacon.

Good coverage, limited primary care access

Putnam County's 6.5% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average of 6.3%, but most residents have coverage. Primary care access is constrained at just 18 providers per 100,000—among the lowest in the state—and mental health provider data is unavailable, suggesting gaps in both services.

Maintain strong insurance coverage

Putnam County's outstanding life expectancy and health outcomes reflect a community that values healthcare access. If you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to explore options; consistent coverage helps preserve the health advantages that make Putnam Illinois's longevity leader.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Putnam County

via RiskByCounty

Putnam County is exceptionally low-risk

Putnam County's composite risk score of 9.16 is among the lowest in the United States and 83% below Illinois's statewide average of 54.46, earning a "Very Low" designation. This places Putnam among America's safest counties from natural disaster exposure.

Putnam ranks second-safest in Illinois

At 9.16, Putnam County scores second-lowest among Illinois's 102 counties for composite disaster risk, surpassed only by Pope County at 14.89. This exceptional safety ranking reflects Putnam's minimal exposure to earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires alike.

Putnam is a risk refuge in central Illinois

Putnam County's 9.16 score is far safer than surrounding counties including Piatt County (34.96) and Pike County (30.34), making it a distinctive safe zone in central Illinois. Only Pope County (14.89) to the south matches Putnam's exceptional low-risk status.

All risks rank as minimal to negligible

Putnam County's highest individual risk scores are earthquake (39.89) and flood (19.59), both substantially below statewide averages; tornado risk is 32.73 and wildfire risk is just 4.36. The county's hazard environment is remarkably safe across all natural disaster categories.

Basic homeowners insurance suffices

Putnam County's minimal disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents without needing specialized riders. Verify that wind/hail coverage is included, and only consider additional flood insurance if your property is in a mapped flood zone.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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