Fast Facts
A Profile of Putnam County

 Location

Putnam County is located between the two largest cities in West Virginia; Huntington (Cabell County) lies 25 miles West, and Charleston (State Capitol in Kanawha County) is 20 miles East.

Population

1998 estimates are 51,164 according to the US Census Bureau, up from 42,835 in the 1990 Census. Population density is 137 persons per sq. mile.

Growth

Growth at 17% between 1990 and 1998 makes Putnam County the fastest growing county in the state.

Major Industries

Industry is located primarily in the Nitro area, with additional industrial parks in Poca, Teays Valley, Scary Creek, and Eleanor. Chemicals, Electrical Power Generation, Distribution, and Auto Parts Manufacturing comprise major industries. Because of the close proximity to the state Capitol, many residents are also employed in government.

Family Income

1997 Median Household Income $39,712 (latest year for which figures are available)

Major Employers & Number of Employees

Putnam County Schools, 1000
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, 600 (Projected employment at completion of construction)
Rite Aid Distribution Center, 550
John Amos Power Plant, 380
Putnam General Hospital, 350
Flexsys, America, 250
Williams Union Boiler Company, 215
AEP Call Center, 200
FMC Nitro Plant, 150
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, 125 The 1990 US Census Bureau Report states 58% of Putnam County workers work outside the county.

Financial Institutions

Bank One (Mortgage office)
City National Bank (Eleanor, Teays Valley, & Winfield branches)
Huntington Banks (Branch office, and Mortgage office)
One Valley Bank (Hurricane & Teays Valley branches)
Putnam County Bank (Downtown Hurricane, Hurricane Exit I-64, & Teays Valley)
Rock Branch Community Bank, Rt. 25/62, Poca
United National Bank (Branch office)
Huntington Federal Savings Bank (Branch office)

Visit the business category for more information.

Schools

4 high schools, 4 middle schools, 13 elementary schools, technical school, and 2 private schools have a combined enrollment of close to 9000. Located within a 30 minute drive are 1 state university, 1 state college, 2 community colleges, 1 private university, 1 graduate college.

Visit the education category for more information.

Medical

There is a 68 bed hospital in the county. 6 hospitals, including a university teaching hospital are located within a 30 minute drive. Many physicians and dentists have offices here, and 2 nursing homes provide outstanding care. Personal care homes are also available.

Visit the health & wellness category for more information.

Transportation

Interstate 64 passes through the center of Putnam County. The Kanawha River also flows through the center of Putnam County and is a major carrier of barge traffic. Railroad service is provided by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. Airports are located in both Huntington and Charleston and a regional transpark is under study.

Media The area is served by the following:

4 television stations representing the 4 networks
1 public television station
2 cable television companies
18 AM and FM radio stations
3 daily newspapers
2 weekly newspapers
2 weekly shopping guides

Visit the media category for more information.

Shopping

Putnam County does not have a centralized shopping district. Instead, stores are scattered into a number of neighborhood centers--for example, Liberty Square, Putnam Village, Eleanor Shopping Center, Mid Valley Plaza, Scott Junction, and the downtown areas of Putnam’s small cities and towns, just to mention a few. For those who prefer mall shopping, Putnam County is located halfway between the two largest malls in the state, a 20-25 minute drive to either one.

Climate

Temperature, mean average(F) 55
January average high 42
January average low 24
July average high 85
July average low 64
Average annual precipitation 42
Mean average snowfall (inches) 29

Geographical

Area: 350.57 sq. miles
Elevation Above Sea Level: Buffalo 580 feet, Hurricane 666 feet, Winfield 596 feet.

Towns & Cities

Bancroft, Buffalo, Eleanor, Hurricane, Poca, Winfield, & Nitro
Unincorporated areas: Scott Depot, Teays Valley, Liberty, Red House, Fraziers Bottom, Hometown, Pliny
County seat: Winfield

Historical

Named for Israel Putnam, Revolutionary War General.