RANK #110 / 996 · POP 97,942 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.8%
Putnam County, New York, offers a distinctive blend of natural beauty and suburban living, often highlighted by locals for its outdoor recreation opportunities. Situated just an hour north of Manhattan, the county provides a commute option via the Metro-North Harlem Line, with five stops within the county. Towns like Cold Spring, known for its antique shops and Hudson River views, and Carmel, the county seat, contribute to the community's feel. Clarence Fahnestock State Park, spanning over 14,000 acres, provides extensive trails for hiking, camping, and fishing, transforming into a cross-country skiing area in winter. The Putnam County Trailway, a 20-mile paved path, offers additional space for walking and biking.
Life in Putnam County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between natural surroundings and access to urban centers. The county's public schools are highly rated, with districts like Haldane Central School District and Putnam Valley Central School District receiving high marks. Recent economic developments in the county include investments in sectors such as logistics and warehousing, with projects focusing on new facility construction and expansions. Additionally, efforts are underway to attract more film production to the region, contributing to economic growth. The county has also focused on fiscal management, including property tax reductions and a sales-tax revenue-sharing agreement with its towns and villages.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center Campus
Google
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Union Energy Center (Battery Storage)
East Point Energy (Equinor)
|
$116M | Cancelled |
|
nVent Industrial Site Expansion
nVent
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Brewster Industrial Owner LLC Warehouse/Logistics
Brewster Industrial Owner LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Ace Endico Expansion
Ace Endico
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Putnam County has a Boom Town Index score of 89/100, ranking #110 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $120,970, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Putnam County is $421,800 with median rent at $1,691/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2868, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +3.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.03% of Putnam County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.