Putnam County, Tennessee
Putnam County sits right in the middle of Tennessee, roughly halfway between Nashville and Knoxville. It’s a nice mix of busy town life and peaceful country living, so you get a little bit of both.
Cookeville is the county’s main hub and has plenty to see and do. The Cookeville Depot Museum is a fun stop, with the old train station now serving as a local history museum. Tennessee Tech University is also based here, bringing a lively college atmosphere to the community.
There’s plenty of outdoor beauty around Putnam County too. Cummins Falls State Park is a popular destination, especially for its impressive 75-foot waterfall and hiking trails. Head outside Cookeville and the scenery quickly turns rural, with farms and open countryside all around
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Putnam County |
| County Seat | Cookeville |
| Population | Approximately 85,000 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Cookeville, Algood, Baxter, Monterey |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 70N, U.S. Highway 111 |
| FIPS Code | 47-141 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 403 square miles (401 sq mi land, 2 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Overton County (Northeast), Fentress County (Northeast), Cumberland County (East), White County (South), DeKalb County (Southwest), Smith County (West), Jackson County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| State | Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°09’N, 85°30’W |
| Etymology | Named after Israel Putnam, a general in the American Revolutionary War |
| Major Landmarks | Burgess Falls State Park, Cummins Falls State Park, Tennessee Tech University |
