Putnam County is part of the Cookeville, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area.
After its original formation in 1842 was declared unconstitutional, Putnam County was firmly established 11 February 1854 when Richard Fielding Cooke's bill, with amendments, cleared the Tennessee House. Putnam County was again a reality. The name is in honor of Israel Putnam, who was a hero in the French and Indian War and a general in the American Revolutionary War.
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,315 people, 24,865 households, and 16,410 families residing in the county. The population density was 155 people per square mile (60/km²). There were 26,916 housing units at an average density of 67 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.52% White, 1.71% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.60% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 3.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 24,865 households out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 14.70% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,914, and the median income for a family was $39,553. Males had a median income of $29,243 versus $21,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,927. About 10.30% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.