Putnam County, West Virginia

+42% vs. West Virginia average
$77,871
Median Household Income
$40,046
Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income
$77,871
+42% vs. state avg
Per Capita Income
$40,046
+1% vs. national
Income-to-Housing Ratio
36.4%
income as % of home value
Rank in West Virginia
#2 / 55
by median household income

Economic Indicators

Unemployment Rate
N/A
Labor Force Participation
N/A

How Putnam County Compares

Putnam County$77,871
West Virginia Average$54,746
National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$77,871
Median Household Income
$40,046
Per Capita Income
$214,200
Median Home Value
36.4%
Income-to-Housing Ratio

Income Advisory: Putnam County

Income Verdict

Putnam County has a median household income of $77,871 and per capita income of $40,046 — a gap of $37,825, suggesting a typical mix of dual-income and single-earner households.

Housing Affordability

With median gross rent at $975/month and a median household income of $77,871, rent consumes approximately 15.0% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.

Economic Context

A median household income of $77,871 suggests moderate-to-strong purchasing power, generally sufficient to cover essentials with room for discretionary spending in most markets. Per capita income of $40,046 is in line with national norms for individual earners.

Neighbor Context

Putnam County earns approximately 42.2% above the West Virginia state median household income of $54,746, positioning it favorably within the state.

Data Story

About Household Income in Putnam County, West Virginia

Putnam County exceeds national income

Putnam County's median household income of $77,871 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 4.2%, placing it above the national average. This exceptional performance reflects strong regional economic growth and workforce development.

West Virginia's income leader

Putnam County's median household income of $77,871 surpasses the state average of $54,746 by 42.2%, making it the highest-earning county among all West Virginia counties analyzed. The county leads the state in economic performance.

Significantly outearns all peers

Putnam County's $77,871 income substantially outpaces all neighboring counties, with Preston County ($61,373) earning 21.2% less and Morgan County ($63,805) earning 18.1% less. The gap reflects Putnam's proximity to Charleston's economic opportunities.

Housing highly affordable

Putnam County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% means households spend less than one-sixth of earnings on rent, comfortably below the 30% threshold. A median home value of $214,200 represents 2.8 years of median household income, highly affordable.

Maximize wealth-building opportunity

Putnam County's strong household income creates exceptional opportunity for aggressive wealth building through diversified investments and real estate. Consider working with a certified financial planner to develop tax-efficient strategies for retirement, education, and wealth transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in Putnam County, West Virginia?
The median household income in Putnam County, West Virginia is $77,871, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.
How much do people earn in Putnam County?
The per capita income in Putnam County is $40,046, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $77,871.
How does Putnam County compare to the West Virginia average?
Putnam County's median household income of $77,871 is higher than the West Virginia state average of $54,746. The per capita income is $40,046, compared to the state average of $30,335.
What is the per capita income in Putnam County, West Virginia?
The per capita income in Putnam County, West Virginia is $40,046, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.
Why is Putnam County income higher than the West Virginia average?
Putnam County's median household income of $77,871 is higher than the West Virginia average of $54,746. This difference of $23,125 can be attributed to factors such as local industry mix, proximity to major employment centers, educational attainment levels, and cost of living. Counties with higher incomes often have a greater concentration of professional and technical occupations.
How does Putnam County rank for income in West Virginia?
Putnam County ranks #2 out of 55 counties in West Virginia by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $77,871 and per capita income of $40,046, it falls in the top third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

See how your household income compares in Putnam County

$
1.00x

Your income is above the Putnam County median

County median: $77,871 per year

vs. County Median

+0%

vs. State Average

+42%

vs. National Median

+4%

vs. Putnam County MedianAbout equal
vs. West Virginia Average42% above
vs. National Median4% above

Income Adequacy

Monthly income covers median rent6.7x

Your monthly income ($6,489) vs. median rent ($975/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.

Sponsored

Grow Your Wealth

See how your income stacks up in Putnam County, West Virginia? Start investing smarter with a robo-advisor that builds a diversified portfolio for you.

Start Investing

Counties with Similar Income Levels

Sponsored

Compare Financial Products in West Virginia

Compare savings accounts, CDs, and money market rates from top banks to make the most of your earnings.

Compare Rates
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.