Putnam
Tennessee

What stands out

If you had to describe Putnam County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is in the top 3% of American counties (305 Mbps), homeownership is in the bottom 8% of American counties (61%), and rainfall is in the top 9% of American counties (54 inches a year). Within Tennessee it ranks 9th of 95 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Putnam County, Tennessee. 80,157 people live here with you. The population grew 1.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,193).

Tennessee has no income tax on wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021. It has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the country and taxes groceries at a reduced rate. Nashville and the surrounding counties have had a decade of rapid growth and price increases; the rest of the state remains inexpensive. There is no estate or inheritance tax.

Money

The typical household here brings in $54,371 a year, lower than 69% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,328. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 52% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Tennessee has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $318K, pricier than 73% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $834 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $1,241 a year on that median home, lower than 81% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 78% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.3 years, shorter than 66% of American counties. There are 192 active physicians in the county, about 24.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 12.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.10 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 46 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 56% of eligible voters turned out. Under Tennessee law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 58°F, highs near 69 and lows near 47, warmer than 62% of American counties. About 54 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 67 out of 100, riskier than 67% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 305 Mbps down, faster than 97% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries.