RANK #813 / 1001 NAT · #27 / 33 TN · POP 82,558
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Putnam County, Tennessee, is often recognized for Cookeville, its largest city and the home of Tennessee Technological University. Situated in the Upper Cumberland region, roughly halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to natural scenery. Commutes within the county are generally short, with residents averaging around 21 minutes to work. The area is known for its outdoor recreation, boasting numerous waterfalls, including Cummins Falls State Park, and proximity to Center Hill Lake and Dale Hollow Lake, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating.
Life in Putnam County appeals to a mix of families, remote workers, and retirees, drawn by the area's affordability and highly-rated public schools. The economy is driven by sectors such as manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, with Tennessee Technological University also serving as a significant employer. Recent economic developments show growth in new businesses, particularly in manufacturing and retail, alongside investments in infrastructure. The county's appeal is further enhanced by its lower cost of living compared to national averages, including more affordable housing and modest property taxes.
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 +2.4% YoY, population +1.5%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.2x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Cumberland Natural Gas Plant Conversion
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
$2,100M | Under Construction |
|
Google Data Center Campus
Google
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
TTI Floor Care North America Expansion
TTI Floor Care North America
|
$20M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Putnam County scores just 18/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #813 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.5% and median household income of $58,912 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Putnam County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $282,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $908/month on average.
Putnam County's population is growing — up +1.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.5%). Home values shifted +2.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.78% 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.