countyscore
62.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 91.8Safety 88.2Lawn Care 81.3

County Report Card

About Putnam County, Missouri

Putnam County Exceeds National Standards

Putnam County boasts an impressive composite score of 62.9, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This puts it in the top tier of counties nationwide for its unique balance of safety and stability.

A Top Performer in Missouri

The county's 62.9 score easily clears the Missouri state average of 50.3. It stands out as a rural leader in the state, offering high-quality living at a manageable scale.

Maximum Safety and Low Risk

The county provides peace of mind with a massive Risk Score of 91.8 and a Safety Score of 88.2. Housing is exceptionally affordable, with a median home value of $111,600 and a Cost Score of 76.3.

High Tax Burden and Water Gaps

Despite low home prices, a Tax Score of 39.0 reflects a higher effective tax rate of 0.987%. Additionally, the Water Score of 32.2 is the county's lowest metric, suggesting infrastructure could be modernized.

Perfect for Quiet Rural Stability

Putnam County is a dream for residents who value tranquility and personal safety above all else. It is an ideal fit for those seeking a tight-knit, low-risk community with very low entry costs for homeownership.

2040608010034.474.488.246.962.544.291.832.252.5Tax34.4Cost74.4Safety88.2Health46.9Schools62.5Income44.2Risk91.8Water32.2Weather52.562.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Putnam County DNA

Doverall

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

Putnam County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (91.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (32.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
34.4-17.6
Cost
74.4+26.400000000000006
Safety
88.2+33.2
Health
46.9
Schools
62.5+8.5
Income
44.2
Risk
91.8+44.8
Water
32.2-25.799999999999997
Weather
52.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Putnam County?

Many homeowners in Putnam County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$119,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$521/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$119,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$20,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,510/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Appanoose County
Iowa
47.7
Sullivan County
Missouri
63
Wayne County
Iowa
62.5
Schuyler County
Missouri
56.7
Mercer County
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Adair County
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Davis County
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Grundy County
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Deep Dives

Putnam County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Putnam County

via TaxByCounty

Putnam County's rate above national average

Putnam County's effective tax rate of 0.987% exceeds the national median, though its median tax bill of $1,101 remains below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values. The county presents a mixed tax picture: higher rates but lower overall bills.

Above-average rates for Missouri

Putnam County's 0.987% effective rate is notably higher than Missouri's state average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's higher-tax counties. However, the median tax bill of $1,101 stays below the state median of $1,199 because homes are valued significantly lower.

Among region's highest tax rates

Putnam County's 0.987% rate is substantially higher than Phelps (0.640%), Pike (0.768%), Polk (0.581%), and Pulaski (0.611%), though slightly below Platte County's 1.060%. The county ranks as a high-tax area in its region.

What $111,600 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $111,600 pays approximately $1,101 in annual property taxes in Putnam County. With a mortgage, that bill increases to $1,132; without one, it drops to $1,046.

Review your assessment closely

Putnam County's relatively high tax rate makes it especially important for homeowners to verify their assessments are accurate and competitive with local market values. Filing an assessment appeal can reduce your tax burden in this higher-rate county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Putnam County

via IncomeByCounty

Putnam underperforms national median

Putnam County's median household income of $56,875 falls 23.9% below the national median of $74,755. The county's rural character and smaller population base explain this gap relative to more urbanized, higher-earning regions.

Near Missouri's average income

Putnam County sits just below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Notably, per capita income of $33,208 exceeds Missouri's $31,011 average, suggesting some pockets of higher earnings despite the moderate household median.

Moderate income in a rural band

Putnam ($56,875) ranks with Phelps ($55,427), Polk ($56,686), and Randolph ($55,310) in a tight lower-middle cluster, while Platte ($95,748) towers above all others. Pulaski ($66,435) and Ralls ($62,054) offer modest advantages, and Pike ($57,572) is nearly identical.

Most affordable housing in region

Putnam County boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12.1%, making it the most affordable place for renters. The median home value of $111,600 is also the lowest nearby, requiring only 2 years of median household income—an exceptionally achievable homeownership target.

Putnam's affordability is an asset

Putnam County residents earning $56,875 face the lowest housing barriers in the region, freeing capital for wealth-building. Capitalize on this advantage by securing stable mortgages, investing surplus income in index funds or rental properties, and using tax-advantaged accounts to maximize compound growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Putnam County

via CrimeByCounty

Putnam County's Exceptional Safety

Putnam County is one of the safest in the nation, with a near-perfect safety score of 99.6. Its total crime rate of 255.4 per 100K is about 10% of the national average.

Missouri's Safe Rural Haven

Putnam's safety score of 99.6 vastly outperforms the Missouri average of 97.0. Two reporting agencies manage a community where crime is nearly 87% lower than the state average.

Dominating the Region in Safety

Putnam County maintains lower crime rates than even its safe neighbors like Ralls and Pike counties. This makes it a benchmark for safety in rural Missouri and the surrounding region.

Rare Violent and Property Crimes

The county reports a violent crime rate of 149.0 and an even lower property crime rate of 106.4 per 100K. These figures indicate that crime is an infrequent occurrence for most residents.

Simple Safety Precautions

In high-safety areas like Putnam County, standard precautions are usually sufficient. Ensuring windows are locked and participating in neighborhood watch programs helps keep this community secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Putnam County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Northern Climate Below National Median

Putnam County averages 50.9°F annually, making it one of the coolest counties in the region and below the national median. This northern location results in a significantly colder thermal profile than southern Missouri.

Missouri's Northern Cold Spot

Putnam is much colder than the state average of 54.9°F and receives 28.7 inches of snow—more than double the state norm. It also sees far fewer extreme heat days, with only 20 per year compared to the 40+ seen in the south.

Snow Capital of the Region

Compared to Platte County, Putnam is significantly colder and experiences over 10 inches more snowfall annually. It is the coolest county in this group, defined by its 23.5°F January average.

Severe Winters and Mild Summers

Winter is the dominant season here, bringing 28.7 inches of snow and a frosty 26.7°F winter average. Summers are pleasant and mild, with only 20 days of 90°F+ temperatures.

Serious Winter Gear is Required

Heavy-duty snow removal equipment and high-quality winter insulation are critical for the 28.7 inches of annual snow. Residents enjoy lower cooling costs in summer but must budget for significant heating in the winter.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Putnam County

via SoilByCounty

Robust Silty Clay Loams in Putnam

Putnam County features a silty clay loam texture with a pH of 6.34, which is more alkaline than the state average of 6.09. These Entisols provide a solid foundation for agriculture along the northern border. This pH level is near-optimal for most traditional Midwestern row crops.

Dense Mix for Nutrient Efficiency

The ground contains 52.9% silt and 25.9% clay, creating a dense material that holds nutrients very effectively. The 21.2% sand content helps maintain essential porosity in this otherwise heavy mix. This balance supports strong root systems and high crop yields.

Superior Water Storage for Crops

With 2.83% organic matter, these soils are healthier than the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.200 in/in is also higher than the Missouri average of 0.183 in/in. This extra water storage helps plants survive through the heat of late summer.

Well Drained but Slower Infiltration

The soil is classified as well drained but falls into hydrologic group C, meaning water moves through the profile slowly. This keeps moisture available for crops longer during peak summer months but can lead to surface runoff. Proper field management can help direct excess water safely.

Cooler Season Success in Zone 5b

A slightly cooler zone 5b means a shorter season, but the high water capacity is perfect for corn, beans, and hardy tubers. The nutrient-rich loam provides everything a gardener needs for a high-yield harvest. Dig into your garden now to maximize the potential of this northern soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Putnam County

via LawnByCounty

Missouri's Easiest Lawn Care Zone

Putnam County is a premier location for lawn care, boasting an impressive difficulty score of 81.3. This is significantly higher than the Missouri average of 63.7 and the national average of 50.0. The cooler Zone 5b climate makes maintaining a pristine green space much simpler than in southern counties.

Cooler Summers and Ideal Rainfall

Putnam enjoys a very manageable 20 extreme heat days per year, nearly half the state average of 37. With 41.9 inches of annual precipitation, the county stays well-watered without the intense scorch seen elsewhere. A July average of 75.5°F is perfect for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass.

Productive Silty Clay Loam Soils

The soil pH of 6.34 is well-positioned within the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for healthy turf growth. The texture is a silty clay loam with 25.9% clay and 21.2% sand, providing excellent nutrient retention and structure. Being well-drained, this soil allows for deep root penetration without the risk of waterlogging.

Resilient Through Short Dry Spells

The county has only faced 15 weeks of drought in the past year, which is relatively low for the region. While 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry (D0), the lack of severe drought (D2+) makes recovery easy. Simple supplemental watering during July will maintain color throughout the summer.

Best Seeding Windows for Zone 5b

In Zone 5b, plan your seeding around the last spring frost on April 17 or the first fall frost on October 22. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are excellent choices for these cooler temperatures and 3365 growing degree days. With an 81.3 score, you have the best odds in the state for a perfect lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Putnam County's county score?
Putnam County, Missouri has a composite county score of 62.5 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 Missouri?
Putnam County ranks #12 among all counties in Missouri 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, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Putnam County is $1,211, with an effective tax rate of 1.01%. This earns Putnam County a tax score of 34.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Putnam County?
The median household income in Putnam County, Missouri is $63,510 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Putnam County earns an income score of 44.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Putnam County, Missouri a good place to live?
Putnam County scores 62.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Missouri. 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

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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