RANK #935 / 996 · POP 73,604 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.3%
Putnam County, Florida, is often recognized for its "Old Florida" ambiance and a lifestyle centered around its waterways. The county seat, Palatka, sits on the St. Johns River, one of the few rivers globally that flows north. This location, approximately 45 minutes south of Jacksonville, offers a blend of small-town charm and access to larger urban centers. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and hiking along the St. Johns River, Crescent Lake, and in areas like Ravine Gardens State Park. The county also features numerous other lakes and natural springs, providing diverse settings for activities such as swimming, birdwatching, and horseback riding in state forests.
Life in Putnam County is characterized by a relaxed, small-town atmosphere. Many residents own their homes, and the community has a notable population of retirees. While a significant portion of the workforce commutes outside the county for employment, local job opportunities exist in sectors like healthcare, construction, and retail. The economy is seeing investment in commercial and residential development, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Efforts are underway to enhance the Port Putnam, aiming to boost economic opportunities and improve infrastructure for cargo handling. The county also focuses on workforce development and broadband initiatives.
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Outer Beltway Extension & New Shands Bridge
State of Florida
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Seminole Combined Cycle Facility (Natural Gas)
Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.
|
$1,183M | Operating |
|
Solar Farm Portfolio (7 projects)
Florida Power & Light (FPL), Origis Energy, FRP Tupelo Solar, LLC
|
$522M | Operating |
|
Lagasse Motorsports Complex
Lagasse Motorsports
|
$300M | Announced |
|
CertainTeed Gypsum Wallboard Factory Expansion (Project Inverness)
CertainTeed Interior Products Group (Saint-Gobain)
|
$235M | Under Construction |
|
FPL Battery Storage Plant
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$200M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Putnam County has a Boom Town Index score of 6/100, ranking #935 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.0% and a median household income of $44,852, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Putnam County is $125,700 with median rent at $844/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3568, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.0%. Home values changed -0.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.83% of Putnam County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.