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Putnam County, TN
4 cities and towns and 7 ZIP codes in Putnam County, Tennessee.
Population
82,558
Land area
401sq mi
People per sq mi
206
ZIP codes
7
Cities and towns in Putnam County
Putnam County at a glance
- It is the 17th most populous of 95 counties in Tennessee.
- Households here earn a median of $58,912 a year, 15% less than the Tennessee figure of $69,595.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $282,500 and median rent is $908 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Cookeville (36,088), Algood (4,036) and Monterey (2,768).
Local data for Putnam County, TN
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes4
- Schools25
- Colleges4
- Libraries4
- Banks31
- Post Offices8
- Parks32
- Grocery Stores32
- Restaurants266
- Affordable Housing8
- Home Health Agencies3
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers3
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals1
- Community Health Centers3
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment9
- Private Schools3
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools3
- Toxic Release Facilities3
- Historic Places10
Housing and community stats
Putnam County, TN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$58,912
Poverty rate
18.4%
Median home value
$282,500
Prices +2.9% in a year
Median rent
$908/mo
Homeownership
61.2%
Bachelor's or higher
29.8%
Median age
36.0
Average commute
21.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (7,944), Irish Americans (7,525), Guatemalan Americans (2,646).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
3.2%
Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$52,316
39,901 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$54,582
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$553M
FY 2026, $6,929 per person
PPP loans
$59.5M
1,539 loans, 7,840 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$167K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Putnam County, TN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.6%
- Carpooled8.7%
- Public transit0.2%
- Walked2.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.3%
- Worked from home10.1%
Average one-way commute: 21.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Putnam County, TN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: lightning
Storm events since 1996
606
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
62
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 27°F
60.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone10 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Putnam County, TN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.5%
U.S. 33.3% +4.2 pts
Diabetes
12.4%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
17.6%
U.S. 12.8% +4.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
12.1%
U.S. 11.1% +1.0 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Putnam County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Putnam County, TN?
- Cookeville is the largest city or town in Putnam County, with about 36,088 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Putnam County?
- Putnam County includes 7 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 38503, 38505, 38506, 38544, 38548.
- What is the population of Putnam County, TN?
- About 82,558 people live in Putnam County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Putnam County?
- Putnam County borders Cumberland County, White County, Overton County, DeKalb County, Smith County, Fentress County, Jackson County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023