1st Advantage MortgageIn Putnam County, Florida, the typical household earns $47,934 a year and the typical rent is $906. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Putnam County
- The Putnam County job picture
- What Putnam County households earn
- Renting and owning in Putnam County
- Towns and communities in Putnam County
- Putnam County and the counties next door
- More Putnam County figures
- Reading the Putnam County data as a borrower
- A Putnam County household budget, worked through
- Lender oversight for Putnam County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Putnam County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Putnam County's population at 75,164; only 39 of Florida's 67 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 728 square miles, that is close to 103 residents for every square mile of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Palatka is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 10,650 people (14% of the county total).
The Putnam County job picture
The biggest employer of Putnam County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by construction (13%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 13% locally and 8% for Florida. The survey's unemployment rate for Putnam County averages 7.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Putnam County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 12.8% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -4.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | -1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.8% | +3.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What Putnam County households earn
The median household income in Putnam County is $47,934; statewide it is $74,568, so Putnam County runs 36% below Florida as a whole. Only 65 Florida counties post a higher median.
| Band | Putnam County | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.0% | +14.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.9% | -9.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -6.9 pts |
About 37% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. Census counts 23.4% of Putnam County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Florida. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Putnam County median.
Renting and owning in Putnam County
A typical Putnam County rental runs $906 a month including utilities, which is 46% below Florida. By the Census definition, 55% of Putnam County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $160,300, or 3.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 75% of homes. The median year built is 1985.
| Measure | Putnam County | Florida | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $906/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $160,300 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 35% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Towns and communities in Putnam County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Putnam County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 17,848 residents, leaving about 76% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $73,718 at the median in East Palatka, $32,021 in Palatka. Rent is cheapest in Crescent City ($789) and steepest in East Palatka ($1,101). None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palatka | city | 10,650 | $32,021 | $901 | 5 mi |
| Crescent City | city | 1,944 | $33,971 | $789 | 17 mi |
| Interlachen | town | 1,923 | $47,950 | $802 | 10 mi |
| East Palatka | CDP | 1,494 | $73,718 | $1,101 | 9 mi |
| Welaka | town | 1,082 | $54,830 | $1,050 | 9 mi |
| Pomona Park | town | 755 | $43,317 | $917 | 11 mi |
Putnam County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (28 to 38 miles). St. Johns County leads the group on income ($109,839), Marion County trails ($61,010), and Putnam County out-earns 0 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | - | $47,934 | $906/mo | 75% |
| Flagler County, FL | 28 mi | $77,363 | $1,722/mo | 83% |
| Clay County, FL | 28 mi | $87,820 | $1,551/mo | 76% |
| St. Johns County, FL | 29 mi | $109,839 | $1,922/mo | 82% |
| Marion County, FL | 33 mi | $61,010 | $1,277/mo | 77% |
| Bradford County, FL | 36 mi | $63,050 | $863/mo | 73% |
| Alachua County, FL | 38 mi | $61,949 | $1,339/mo | 54% |
More Putnam County figures
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. About 14% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Putnam County | Florida | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.0 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.7% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.1% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.8% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.4% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.4% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Putnam County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.1% |
| 60+ min | 10.0% |
Reading the Putnam County data as a borrower
Where the Putnam County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 14% of Putnam County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 23% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Putnam County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 44% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Fixed incomes. Putnam County's median age is 45.0. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
A Putnam County household budget, worked through
Here is the Putnam County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $3,994 a month: gross income for a household at the Putnam County median
- Rent at the median, $906, takes 23% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $532 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $812 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lender oversight for Putnam County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Putnam County resident can confirm its license with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Florida guide.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Putnam County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Florida.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Putnam County earn?
The median is $47,934; 20% earn $100,000 or more and 37% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Putnam County?
$906 a month at the median, about 23% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Putnam County?
By population: Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, East Palatka, Welaka. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Can Putnam County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Florida county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Putnam County residents?
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation licenses consumer lenders in Florida; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.