RANK #89 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 41 FL · POP 75,164
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
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.
Putnam County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.1% YoY, population +1.2%, wages +4.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 12.7x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Putnam County ranks #89 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 91/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $47,934 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Putnam County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $160,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $906/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Putnam County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +1.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.91% 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.