Interlachen-Florahome
RANK #752 / 996 NAT · #18 / 41 FL · POP 73,604
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 24/100, Putnam County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $44,852 combined with job growth of +2.0% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Putnam County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $125,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $844/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Putnam County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.0% clip. Home values shifted -0.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.83% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Putnam County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.