RANK #173 / 996 · POP 57,347 · WV
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.3%
Hurricane, the largest incorporated city, is a notable town in Putnam County, West Virginia, known for its parks and recreational opportunities like Valley Park and the Waves of Fun water park. Located in western West Virginia, Putnam County sits between the metropolitan areas of Charleston and Huntington. Interstate 64 runs through the southern part of the county, and a recently upgraded section of US Route 35 connects to I-64, contributing to an average commute time of 28 minutes. The county features river valleys and rolling hills, with outdoor recreation options including walking trails, fishing ponds, and wildlife management areas.
Life in Putnam County often involves families and young professionals, with many residents owning their homes. The public school system is highly rated, with several schools recognized as top performers in the state. While public transportation options are limited, specialized services exist for seniors. The economy is seeing new activity, with recent investments in technology infrastructure, including a major data center project. Additionally, there has been investment in housing development to meet growing demand.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Center Campus
Google
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Woodworth Farms Residential Development (400+ units)
Ward Communities (developed by Stonewall Capital)
|
$50M | 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 83/100, ranking #173 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.1% and a median household income of $75,725, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Putnam County is $202,300 with median rent at $1,007/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3743, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.1%. Home values changed +1.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.98% of Putnam County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.