CountyScore

Putnam County

Tennessee · TN

#59 in Tennessee
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Putnam County, Tennessee

Putnam County Exceeds National Average

Putnam County's composite score of 75.2 stands 50% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. Its profile reflects solid tax and cost performance, though median income remains below peer averages.

Slightly Below State Average

Putnam County ranks in the middle of Tennessee's pack with a score of 75.2, falling slightly below the state average of 76.3. It occupies a different competitive position than its higher-scoring rural peers in this analysis.

Solid Tax Efficiency and Good Income

Putnam County offers a tax score of 87.5 (0.526% effective rate) and an income score of 20.3 with median household income at $56,537. These middle-ground figures appeal to working families balancing affordability with modest earning potential.

Higher Housing Costs Relative to Peers

Putnam County's cost score of 79.7 trails peer averages, with median home values at $246,800 and rent at $881/month—significantly higher than comparable rural counties. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental metrics remain unavailable for comprehensive assessment.

Good Fit for Working-Class Families

Putnam County suits working families with modest incomes who value proximity to regional employment centers and accept higher housing costs in exchange. Its lower composite score reflects less favorable economics than peer rural counties, warranting careful budget planning.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.5Cost79.7SafetyComing SoonHealth64.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.3Risk34.2WaterComing Soon
🏛87.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.2
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

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

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 far below national levels

Putnam County's effective tax rate of 0.526% is just one-fifth the national median property tax burden of $2,690, placing it in the bottom quartile nationally. Despite having the region's highest home values, Putnam remains exceptionally affordable compared to national standards.

Slightly above Tennessee's statewide average

Putnam County's 0.526% effective rate runs modestly above Tennessee's 0.511% state average, ranking it just above the middle of the state's 95 counties. The median tax of $1,299 on a $246,800 home is the highest in this analysis, reflecting both the rate and the county's more robust property values.

Putnam has highest home values and taxes

Putnam's 0.526% rate falls below Morgan (0.581%), Obion (0.568%), and Polk (0.565%), but above Overton (0.394%) and Pickett (0.374%). With a median home value of $246,800, Putnam's homeowners pay higher absolute taxes despite a moderate effective rate.

A $246,800 home costs $1,299 annually

Putnam County's median homeowner with a $246,800 home—the highest in this analysis—pays $1,299 per year in property tax, or about $108 monthly. With mortgage escrow, that reaches $1,329 annually.

High-value homes warrant professional appeals

Putnam County homeowners with above-median properties should strongly consider professional assessment appeals, as even small rate reductions yield substantial annual savings on higher-valued homes. Request a reassessment if your appraisal or recent comparable sales suggest overvaluation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Putnam County

via CostByCounty

Putnam County's housing costs reflect higher home values

Putnam County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio sits modestly above Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, reflecting the county's higher home values and rental costs relative to peers. At $881 monthly rent and a median household income of $56,537, Putnam renters face above-average housing burden for Tennessee.

Above-average affordability challenges in Tennessee

Putnam County ranks in the upper half of Tennessee counties for housing cost burden, with rents and home values substantially higher than most rural peers. The county's higher median home value of $246,800 signals greater market demand and corresponding affordability stress.

Highest rents and home values in region

Putnam County's $881 median rent and $246,800 median home value substantially exceed all neighboring counties, making it the region's most expensive housing market. The county represents a step up in both quality and cost compared to surrounding rural alternatives.

Rent consumes 18.7% of median income

Putnam County renters spend $881 monthly—18.7% of their median household income of $56,537—creating affordability strain above state averages. Homeowners face steeper ownership costs at $846 monthly for homes worth $246,800, reflecting the county's premium housing market relative to rural Tennessee.

Putnam County offers more amenities at a cost

Families relocating to Putnam County should expect to pay a premium for housing compared to surrounding rural counties, but gain access to better-valued properties and likely stronger community services. The county rewards those prioritizing housing quality over pure cost minimization.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Putnam County

via IncomeByCounty

Putnam County Below National Income, Above Peers

Putnam County's median household income of $56,537 falls $18,218 short of the national median of $74,755, a 24% gap. However, it ranks second-highest in its peer group, reflecting stronger economic performance than most rural neighbors.

Near Tennessee's Statewide Income Average

Putnam County's $56,537 median income sits just $2,457 below Tennessee's state average of $58,994. The per capita income of $30,508 closely mirrors the state average of $31,458, indicating balanced earnings distribution.

Second-Strongest Income Among Rural Peers

Putnam County's $56,537 median income ranks second only to Polk County ($60,227) among its peer cluster. The county substantially outpaces lower-income neighbors like Overton ($46,159), Perry ($50,489), and Pickett ($44,591).

Higher Housing Burden Limits Wealth-Building

Putnam County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% is manageable but higher than several peers, reflecting moderate affordability pressure. The median home value of $246,800 is the highest in the group, representing 4.4 years of gross household income—a significant barrier to homeownership wealth-building.

Strategic Home Buying and Savings Planning

Putnam County's elevated home values require careful financial planning for would-be homeowners; strong incomes help offset the challenge. Focus on building substantial down payments, securing favorable mortgage rates, and maintaining emergency savings to manage the larger financial commitment home purchases demand.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Putnam County

via HealthByCounty

Putnam County leads in health and life expectancy

At 73.4 years, Putnam County's life expectancy is 2.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, yet outperforms most of Tennessee and all peer counties in this group. With only 19.8% of residents reporting poor or fair health—the lowest in this county set—Putnam demonstrates strong overall health outcomes.

Putnam County ranks among Tennessee's healthiest

At 73.4 years, Putnam County's life expectancy exceeds Tennessee's average of 72.4 years by one full year—a meaningful advantage. Its uninsured rate of 11.2% is the lowest in this peer group and below the state average of 11.9%.

Exceptional provider density across all specialties

Putnam County leads the region with 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an extraordinary 268 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding national benchmarks and any county in this group. This density of behavioral and primary care is a major health advantage.

Best insurance coverage and provider access in region

Putnam County combines the lowest uninsured rate (11.2%) with the highest provider density (67 primary care, 268 mental health per 100K) among these eight counties. This combination creates a healthcare ecosystem where residents can both afford and access care.

Maximize Putnam County's health infrastructure

With exceptional healthcare infrastructure and strong insurance rates already in place, ensure you and your family are covered. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to confirm your coverage and make full use of Putnam County's outstanding providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Putnam County

via RiskByCounty

Putnam County faces elevated risk

Putnam County's composite risk score of 65.84 substantially exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively low category but near the upper range. The county faces concentrated natural disaster exposure, particularly for tornadoes and earthquakes.

Higher-risk county in Tennessee

Putnam County scores 65.84 compared to Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it among the state's higher-risk communities. The county's elevated disaster exposure distinguishes it from much of Tennessee.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Putnam County (65.84) faces significantly higher disaster risk than nearby Perry County (33.40), Overton County (22.23), and Morgan County (19.05). Only Obion County (81.30) and Rhea County (49.17) present comparable or higher risk profiles in the broader region.

Tornado and earthquake dominate threats

Tornado risk (86.90) presents Putnam County's most acute hazard, among Tennessee's highest, while earthquake risk (85.72) compounds the threat significantly. Flood risk (60.24) adds a third substantial concern affecting property in low-lying areas.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake protection

Putnam County residents must maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wind and tornado coverage, plus secure separate earthquake insurance given the county's 85.72 seismic risk. Constructing or upgrading to a storm shelter should be a priority investment for families.

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.