Putnam County, Tennessee Eviction Risk: Low

Putnam County scores 2.7/10 (Low risk) on EvictionRiskMap's composite index, placing it 36th of 95 counties in Tennessee, where rank 1 is the highest-risk county. That positioning puts 35 counties above it in risk and 59 below, landing it squarely in the state's middle third. For landlords and investors, a 2.7 average across all 4 incorporated cities signals a market where lease enforcement is generally workable, though specific local dynamics still matter before committing capital.

The intra-county spread is tight, running from 2.6 to 2.7, which means operating conditions are fairly consistent whether you own units in the county seat or one of its smaller towns. With an average rent of $895 and a rent burden rate of 31.3%, tenants here are spending a meaningful share of income on housing. Pair that with a 55.7% renter share and a poverty rate of 22.5%, and landlords should calibrate screening carefully even in a low-risk market.

The cities inside Putnam County

Cookeville (population 36,088) and Algood (population 4,036) share the county's highest score of 2.7/10. Cookeville eviction risk's size dominates the county's rental landscape and drives the aggregate average, but its score is still well within the low-risk band. Algood, just west of the county seat, mirrors that reading despite a much smaller rental pool.

Monterey (population 2,768) and Baxter (population 1,361) come in at the county's lowest mark, 2.6/10, reflecting modestly more landlord-favorable conditions. The difference between a 2.7 and a 2.6 is narrow, but it illustrates that risk is genuinely hyper-local: two cities separated by only a few miles can reflect distinct court practices, tenant demographics, and local economic pressures that aggregate county scores smooth over.

State-level laws that apply here

Tennessee state law under T.C.A. § 66-28 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) governs Putnam County. For nonpayment of rent in URLTA counties, landlords must deliver a 7-day notice (TCA § 66-28-505 as amended by SB-1088). A material breach requires a 14-day notice (TCA § 66-28-505), while a non-curable breach requires only 3 days (TCA § 66-28-517). Uncontested cases typically resolve in 21 to 45 days; contested proceedings can run 45 to 120 days. Understanding the full Tennessee eviction process is essential before assuming best-case timelines.

On the cost side, court filing fees run $200 to $300, sheriff lockout fees add $40 to $150, and attorney fees typically range $500 to $2,500, so a fully litigated case can reach meaningful expense. Tennessee eviction costs reinforce why thorough tenant screening and prompt notice delivery matter from day one. Tennessee also preempts local rent control, and no just-cause requirement applies under state law, both clear advantages for landlords operating here.

With a poverty rate of 22.5% and a renter share of 55.7% across the county, the individual city scores in the grid above offer the clearest view of where Putnam County's low-risk average is distributed and where pockets of tighter conditions may affect specific investments.