Putnam County
WV · Pop. 57,250 · Mixed County
Putnam County is a mixed rural-suburban county in West Virginia, spanning 346 square miles with 57,250 residents at a density of 165.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $214,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 198-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F and average winter lows of 26.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Camc - Teays Valley Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 198-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Camc - Teays Valley Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Putnam County, WV is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $214k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 198 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 40.4"
- Broadband
- 89.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Camc - Teays Valley Hospital, 4.8 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 7a with a 198-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F, and average winter lows of 26.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $214,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Camc - Teays Valley Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore West Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in West Virginia
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The closest counties to Putnam County by distance, including across state lines.
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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