1st Advantage MortgagePutnam County households have a median income of $63,510 and median rent of $521 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Missouri before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Putnam County
- Income in Putnam County compared with Missouri
- The Putnam County job picture
- What it costs to live in Putnam County
- Regional comparison for Putnam County
- Towns and communities in Putnam County
- Putnam County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Putnam County
- Room for a loan payment in Putnam County
- Steps before you apply in Putnam County
- Missouri rules that apply in Putnam County
- More guides for Putnam County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Putnam County
Putnam County is home to about 4,642 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 110th most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Land area is 517 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Putnam County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 5 Census places inside Putnam County, Unionville leads by population with about 1,824; 5 of the 5 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Putnam County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Income in Putnam County compared with Missouri
The median household income in Putnam County is $63,510; statewide it is $70,702, so Putnam County runs 10% below Missouri as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Putnam County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.0% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | -1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -4.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Putnam County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.5% of Putnam County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. A household earning below the $63,510 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Putnam County job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 9% locally and 2% for Missouri. The survey's unemployment rate for Putnam County averages 4.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Top industries | Putnam County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.1% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.3% | +7.7 pts |
| Public administration | 9.2% | +5.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +0.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What it costs to live in Putnam County
Renters in Putnam County pay a median of $521 a month, 50% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. By the Census definition, 48% of Putnam County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $119,500, a typical Putnam County house costs 1.9 times what the median household earns in a year. 83% of Putnam County households own their home and 17% rent. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Putnam County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $521/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $119,500 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 37% | 11% | 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).
Regional comparison for Putnam County
Sullivan County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Adair County, is 29 miles off. None of the six report a higher median household income than Putnam County; Mercer County is highest at $62,679 and Appanoose County lowest at $54,934. The list crosses into Iowa, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | - | $63,510 | $521/mo | 83% |
| Sullivan County, MO | 19 mi | $56,964 | $673/mo | 75% |
| Appanoose County, IA | 20 mi | $54,934 | $784/mo | 69% |
| Wayne County, IA | 25 mi | $61,964 | $659/mo | 81% |
| Schuyler County, MO | 26 mi | $61,205 | $382/mo | 80% |
| Mercer County, MO | 29 mi | $62,679 | $590/mo | 81% |
| Adair County, MO | 29 mi | $61,536 | $772/mo | 61% |
Towns and communities in Putnam County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Putnam County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 1,957 residents, leaving about 58% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Putnam County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionville | city | 1,824 | $61,406 | $516 | 1 mi |
| Powersville | village | 62 | $43,700 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Lucerne | village | 35 | $47,813 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Worthington | village | 24 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Livonia | village | 12 | $36,250 | n/a | 17 mi |
Putnam County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 9.6%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Measure | Putnam County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Putnam County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.8% |
Before borrowing in Putnam County
Based on the Putnam County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Fixed incomes. Putnam County's median age is 45.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Putnam County borrower sees (free reports).
Room for a loan payment in Putnam County
Putnam County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,292 gross per month ($63,510 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $521, takes 10% of that
- $1,384: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Putnam County's.
Steps before you apply in Putnam County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Putnam County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Missouri borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Missouri rules that apply in Putnam County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Putnam County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Putnam County
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Putnam County earn?
The median is $63,510; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Putnam County rent compare with Missouri?
$521 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 50% below.
I own my home in Putnam County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 83% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Putnam County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Unionville, Powersville, Lucerne, Worthington, Livonia.
Does living in Putnam County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Putnam County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.