Putnam County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Putnam County is located in Illinois with a total population of 5,600. It is the 94th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Putnam County is 47.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Putnam County is $77,526. This is 5% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 1% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $167,800. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Putnam County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Putnam County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.4% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.6%.