Putnam County
IL · Pop. 5,600 · Suburban County
Putnam County is a suburban county in Illinois, spanning 160 square miles with 5,600 residents at a density of 35 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $168,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.59% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 16.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St Margaret's Health - Spring Valley is 10.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 80.5% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A low poverty rate of 9.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
- A median household income of $77,526 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.59% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, St Margaret's Health - Spring Valley, is 10.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Putnam County, IL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 1.59%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.2"
- Broadband
- 80.5%
- Nearest hospital
- St Margaret's Health - Spring Valley, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Putnam County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Putnam County?
- Putnam County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 16.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.59%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 80.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Margaret's Health - Spring Valley is 10.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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More counties in Illinois
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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