Putnam County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Putnam County Courthouse in Unionville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:40°29′N93°01′W / 40.48°N 93.02°W /40.48; -93.02 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | February 28, 1845 |
| Named after | Israel Putnam |
| Seat | Unionville |
| Largest city | Unionville |
| Area | |
• Total | 520 sq mi (1,300 km2) |
| • Land | 517 sq mi (1,340 km2) |
| • Water | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,681 |
| • Density | 9.05/sq mi (3.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | nemr |
Putnam County is acounty in north centralMissouri. At the2020 census, the population was 4,681.[1] Itscounty seat isUnionville.[2] The county was organized February 28, 1845, and named forIsrael Putnam, a hero in theFrench and Indian War and a general in theAmerican Revolutionary War.[3]
Putnam County was established February 28, 1845, from parts ofAdair andSullivan counties. The following year a portion of Putnam was removed to form Dodge County. Both Putnam and Dodge extended nearly nine miles further north until an 1851 ruling by theSupreme Court on aborder dispute with Iowa assigned the contested land to Iowa. Both counties were left with less than the statutory minimum area for a county as set by the state legislature, so Dodge County was dissolved and its area added to Putnam.[4]
In its early years, the county seat changed frequently, often with contentious debate. Putnamville, Bryant Station (both no longer in existence), and Hartford all served until a central location called Harmony, later renamedUnionville, was chosen.[5]
In the 1860 U.S. Census Putnam County had 9,240 residents, with eighteen sawmills and three flour mills.[6] Coal had been an abundant since its earliest settlement. Following the arrival of the Burlington & Southwestern Railway in 1873, coal mining became a major industry, especially in the east of the county. At one time three railroads crossed Putnam county: the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul; the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy; and the Iowa and St. Louis.[7] Putnam County lost over two-thirds of its population between 1900 and 2000 (see census data below), when the United States changed from a rural to an urban country.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 517 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.4%) is water.[8]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,636 | — | |
| 1860 | 9,207 | 462.8% | |
| 1870 | 11,217 | 21.8% | |
| 1880 | 13,555 | 20.8% | |
| 1890 | 15,365 | 13.4% | |
| 1900 | 16,668 | 8.5% | |
| 1910 | 14,308 | −14.2% | |
| 1920 | 13,115 | −8.3% | |
| 1930 | 11,503 | −12.3% | |
| 1940 | 11,327 | −1.5% | |
| 1950 | 9,166 | −19.1% | |
| 1960 | 6,999 | −23.6% | |
| 1970 | 5,916 | −15.5% | |
| 1980 | 6,092 | 3.0% | |
| 1990 | 5,079 | −16.6% | |
| 2000 | 5,223 | 2.8% | |
| 2010 | 4,979 | −4.7% | |
| 2020 | 4,681 | −6.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[13] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[14] | Pop 1990[15] | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 6,038 | 5,042 | 5,155 | 4,865 | 4,446 | 99.11% | 99.27% | 98.70% | 97.71% | 94.98% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.06% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 12 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 0.20% | 0.16% | 0.10% | 0.14% | 0.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 0 | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.13% | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[19] | x[20] | 0 | 1 | 0 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 21 | 39 | 107 | x | x | 0.40% | 0.78% | 2.29% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 38 | 24 | 32 | 36 | 112 | 0.62% | 0.47% | 0.61% | 0.72% | 2.39% |
| Total | 6,092 | 5,079 | 5,223 | 4,979 | 4,681 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[23] of 2010, there were 4,979 people, 2,228 households, and 1,517 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 2,914 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.14%White, 0.06%Black orAfrican American, 0.10%Native American, 0.13%Asian, 0.10% fromother races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Approximately 0.61% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 2,228 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% weremarried couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 20.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,282, and the median income for a family was $32,031. Males had a median income of $22,957 versus $18,884 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,647. About 13.20% of families and 16.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.60% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.
School districts which cover portions of the county include:[24]
All of these schools are operated by Putnam County R-I School District:
TheRepublican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Putnam County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.
| Putnam County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Chrissy Gillis | Democrat | |
| Circuit Clerk | Leslie Ream | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Christy Brooks | Republican | |
| Collector | Jennifer Heidenwith | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Robert Munden | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Shane Bradshaw | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Gerald Owings | Republican | |
| Coroner | Anna Fleshman | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Michael Wulff | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Ami Hartwig | Republican | |
| Recorder | Dotsy Wood | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Jason Knight | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Jennifer Heidenwith | Republican | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 85.18%1,988 | 12.68%296 | 2.14%50 |
| 2020 | 85.15%1,984 | 13.86%323 | 0.99%23 |
| 2016 | 73.84%1,691 | 23.89%547 | 2.27%52 |
| 2012 | 65.53%1,485 | 32.04%726 | 2.43%55 |
| 2008 | 64.43%1,467 | 32.85%748 | 2.72%62 |
| 2004 | 72.75%1,757 | 25.84%624 | 1.41%34 |
| 2000 | 66.42%1,531 | 32.62%752 | 0.95%22 |
| 1996 | 41.71%898 | 56.71%1,332 | 1.58%34 |
All of Putnam County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in theMissouri House of Representatives and is represented byNate Walker (R-Kirksville).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nate Walker | 2,067 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nate Walker | 1,059 | 100.00% | +30.20 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nate Walker | 1,597 | 69.80% | ||
| Democratic | Rebecca McClanahan | 691 | 30.20% | ||
All of Putnam County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byDan Hegeman (R-Cosby).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 1,036 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 1,708 | 74.88% | +18.11 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 486 | 21.31% | −17.89 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 46 | 2.02% | −2.01 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 24 | 1.05% | +1.05 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 17 | 0.74% | +0.74 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 1,296 | 56.77% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 895 | 39.20% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 92 | 4.03% | ||
All of Putnam County is included inMissouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented bySam Graves (R-Tarkio) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,897 | 84.01% | +0.52 | |
| Democratic | David M. Blackwell | 315 | 13.95% | −0.84 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 32 | 1.42% | −1.98 | |
| Green | Mike Diel | 14 | 0.62% | +0.62 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,032 | 83.49% | +3.36 | |
| Democratic | Bill Hedge | 162 | 13.11% | −4.22 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 42 | 3.40% | +0.86 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,799 | 80.13% | ||
| Democratic | Kyle Yarber | 389 | 17.33% | ||
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 57 | 2.54% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,985 | 63.95% | 1,045 | 33.67% | 74 | 2.38% |
| 1892 | 2,027 | 62.24% | 1,131 | 34.73% | 99 | 3.04% |
| 1896 | 2,363 | 62.93% | 1,376 | 36.64% | 16 | 0.43% |
| 1900 | 2,337 | 65.46% | 1,159 | 32.46% | 74 | 2.07% |
| 1904 | 2,226 | 68.45% | 822 | 25.28% | 204 | 6.27% |
| 1908 | 2,233 | 65.77% | 1,056 | 31.10% | 106 | 3.12% |
| 1912 | 1,859 | 55.71% | 933 | 27.96% | 545 | 16.33% |
| 1916 | 2,106 | 64.84% | 1,035 | 31.87% | 107 | 3.29% |
| 1920 | 3,880 | 72.92% | 1,315 | 24.71% | 126 | 2.37% |
| 1924 | 3,340 | 65.39% | 1,495 | 29.27% | 273 | 5.34% |
| 1928 | 3,498 | 73.56% | 1,247 | 26.23% | 10 | 0.21% |
| 1932 | 2,180 | 50.52% | 1,987 | 46.05% | 148 | 3.43% |
| 1936 | 3,458 | 64.01% | 1,902 | 35.21% | 42 | 0.78% |
| 1940 | 3,828 | 68.84% | 1,708 | 30.71% | 25 | 0.45% |
| 1944 | 3,106 | 72.55% | 1,168 | 27.28% | 7 | 0.16% |
| 1948 | 2,499 | 62.84% | 1,463 | 36.79% | 15 | 0.38% |
| 1952 | 3,202 | 73.31% | 1,149 | 26.30% | 17 | 0.39% |
| 1956 | 2,674 | 70.57% | 1,115 | 29.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,711 | 71.89% | 1,060 | 28.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,547 | 51.04% | 1,484 | 48.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,971 | 63.75% | 952 | 30.79% | 169 | 5.47% |
| 1972 | 2,112 | 78.72% | 571 | 21.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,444 | 56.63% | 1,097 | 43.02% | 9 | 0.35% |
| 1980 | 1,722 | 64.86% | 871 | 32.81% | 62 | 2.34% |
| 1984 | 1,540 | 65.90% | 797 | 34.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,365 | 62.73% | 803 | 36.90% | 8 | 0.37% |
| 1992 | 1,143 | 45.67% | 838 | 33.48% | 522 | 20.85% |
| 1996 | 1,091 | 48.60% | 857 | 38.17% | 297 | 13.23% |
| 2000 | 1,593 | 68.25% | 708 | 30.33% | 33 | 1.41% |
| 2004 | 1,660 | 67.89% | 772 | 31.57% | 13 | 0.53% |
| 2008 | 1,591 | 68.02% | 695 | 29.71% | 53 | 2.27% |
| 2012 | 1,673 | 72.46% | 587 | 25.42% | 49 | 2.12% |
| 2016 | 1,936 | 82.52% | 353 | 15.05% | 57 | 2.43% |
| 2020 | 1,984 | 84.03% | 361 | 15.29% | 16 | 0.68% |
| 2024 | 2,021 | 84.92% | 347 | 14.58% | 12 | 0.50% |
Places adjacent to Putnam County, Missouri | |
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Municipalities and communities ofPutnam County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
