Putnam County Demographics

A map of Putnam County's Population by Race

Putnam County, Missouri has an estimated population of 4,642, a less than 1% change from the 4,681 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 95.1% White, 3.0% Hispanic, 1.3% Multiracial, 0.4% Native American/Other, 0.2% Black, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Putnam County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Putnam is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Putnam County, that probability was 9.7% in 2020 and 9.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Putnam County is ranked the 110th most populous county in Missouri, out of 115 counties. Putnam County was ranked the 110th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Putnam County's White Population

4,414 residents of Putnam County, or 95.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Putnam County is significantly higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Putnam County ranks 7th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Putnam County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Putnam County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 95.1%.

Putnam County is more White than neighboring Sullivan County (76.8% White), Appanoose County (93.8% White), Wayne County (93.7% White), Schuyler County (94.2% White), and Adair County (87.1% White).

Putnam County's Black Population

9 residents of Putnam County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Putnam County is considerably lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Putnam County ranks 103rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Putnam County's Black population has declined by an estimated 18.2%. Black residents' share of Putnam County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Putnam County is less Black than neighboring Sullivan County (2.7% Black), Appanoose County (0.8% Black), and Adair County (4.4% Black).

Putnam County's Asian Population

0 residents of Putnam County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Putnam County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Putnam County ranks 114th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Putnam County's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Asian residents' share of Putnam County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Putnam County is less Asian than neighboring Sullivan County (1% Asian), Appanoose County (0.9% Asian), Wayne County (0.1% Asian), Schuyler County (0.5% Asian), and Adair County (2.1% Asian).

Putnam County's Hispanic Population

139 residents of Putnam County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Putnam County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Putnam County ranks 47th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Putnam County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 24.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Putnam County's population has increased from 2.4% to 3.0%.

Putnam County is more Hispanic than neighboring Appanoose County (2% Hispanic), Wayne County (1.2% Hispanic), and Schuyler County (0.7% Hispanic). Putnam County is less Hispanic than neighboring Sullivan County (18.1% Hispanic).

Putnam County's Native American/Other Population

20 residents of Putnam County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Putnam County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Putnam County ranks 115th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Putnam County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 300.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Putnam County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Putnam County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Sullivan County (0.2% Native American/Other), Appanoose County (0% Native American/Other), Wayne County (0% Native American/Other), Schuyler County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Adair County (0.3% Native American/Other).

Putnam County's Multiracial Population

60 residents of Putnam County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Putnam County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Putnam County ranks 114th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Putnam County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 43.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Putnam County's population has decreased from 2.3% to 1.3%.

Putnam County is more Multiracial than neighboring Sullivan County (1.2% Multiracial). Putnam County is less Multiracial than neighboring Appanoose County (2.4% Multiracial), Wayne County (4.8% Multiracial), Schuyler County (4.1% Multiracial), and Adair County (3.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.