Putnam County, Indiana

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 36,726. The median age was 40.5 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.8% White, 2.8% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.

There were 13,404 households in the county, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.9% were married-couple households, 17.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The population density was . There were 14,706 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% white, 4.0% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population.

Of the 12,917 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.3% were non-families, and 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 37.9 years.

Points of interest

Big Walnut Sports Park

Big Walnut Sports Park began as an all-volunteer effort in 1988. In May 2014, the nearly park on Greencastle's far east side was deeded to the city of Greencastle. The park offers baseball, softball, and little league fields along with soccer fields, a walking trail, picnic tables, Frisbee golf, and a new dog park.

Cagles Mill Lake

In 1952, Cagles Mill Lake was built as Indiana's first flood−control reservoir, protecting the Eel and White river watersheds. Mill Creek feeds the lake and is home to Cataract Falls. In the 1800s, the future Lieber State Recreation Area was populated by the Miami, Shawnee, and Potawatomi. In 1809, what was left of the great Miami Indian Confederacy sold the now southern one-third of Indiana to the US government, when the 10 O'Clock Treaty Line, which passes through Lieber SRA, was laid out.

DePauw University Nature Park

The DePauw Nature Park is a moderately trafficked loop trail that features a lake, wildlife, and bird-watching. The trails are rated as moderate, offer a number of activity options, and are accessible year-round. Between 1917 and 1977, the site was a limestone quarry owned and operated by Hanson Aggregates. With the quarry dormant for decades, Hanson Aggregates donated of the land and leased the remaining to DePauw University for $1 per year for 99 years. DePauw acquired the adjacent property to increase the total size of the Nature Park to . DePauw commissioned Mansur Developers in 2002 to design a master plan for possible uses of the nature park. DePauw completed phase 1 of the master plan in 2004 and opened the Nature Park to the public in September 2004.

Fern Cliff

Fern Cliff and its sandstone cliffs have long been a popular Indiana refuge. Steep forested sandstone cliffs, lush wooded ravines, and a profusion of ferns and bryophytes characterize the preserve. The preserve is open for hiking, photography, and bird watching on its moderate to rugged terrain.

Glenn Flint Lake

Located in Putnam County north-northwest of Greencastle, the Glenn Flint Lake is home to a relatively new population of game fish, including panfish. Lake renovation in 1995 removed large numbers of carp, so the bluegills and crappies are now doing well. The Little Walnut Creek Conservancy District owns the lake. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) manages the fishery at Glenn Flint.

Greencastle People Pathways

People Pathways is a planning and implementation group established with the approval of the Greencastle Park Board of Commissioners. People Pathways has developed a multi-use recreation trail plan. The paths connect public spaces such as schools, parks, libraries, and community resources. Implementation of the People Pathways plan is being done in phases as opportunities develop.

Lincoln Park Speedway

Lincoln Park Speedway is located in Putnamville and features Nonwing Sprint Cars, UMP Modifieds, UMP Super Stocks, and Bombers at weekly racing events on Saturday nights.

Putnam Park Road Course

The Putnam Park Road Course is a , 10-turn road course that opened in 1992. The facility is located west of Indianapolis and is open for club events and professional team testing.

Putnam County Playhouse

The Putnam County Playhouse was organized in 1961 by Greencastle residents, "to provide the people of the county and the surrounding area with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy live theatre." For the first seasons, the plays and musicals were presented in various venues around the Greencastle. For the seasons of 1981 and 1982, plays and musicals were presented on an outdoor stage with bleacher seating. By 1983, the funds had been raised to convert a larger structure, a barn built in 1918, into an intimate 220-seat theater. The Hazel Day Longden Barn Theatre had its grand opening on June 4, 1983. Past performers presented a program of scenes and songs that had been produced by the PCP in its early years. In 1993, extensive work was done on the physical plant. A fly area was added and a new workshop and costume loft were constructed. The following year, a moderate cooling system was added and posts in the auditorium were removed. In April 2000, aluminum siding was added to the barn. Most recently, the seating system was completely replaced and the theater now has 198 seats.

The Putnam County Playhouse is active from June through September, presenting two musicals and two plays. Every other year, a children's workshop play is also produced.

Education

School districts include:

Cloverdale Community Schools
Greencastle Community School Corporation
North Putnam Community Schools
South Putnam Community Schools

The Greencastle district operates Greencastle High School.

Covered bridges

thumb|300 px|right|Dunbar Covered Bridge

The Dick Huffman or Webster Covered Bridge is the furthest south, just off I-70. This route is not at an interstate exit.
Houck Covered Bridge is south of Greencastle. Oakala Covered Bridge is just a short distance away from Houk CB.
Edna Collins Covered Bridge is considered to be haunted according to the Encyclopedia of Haunted Indiana.
Dunbar Covered Bridge is the nearest to Greencastle and is accessed via US 231 north, under the concrete railroad viaduct.
Baker's Camp Covered Bridge is east of Bainbridge on old US 36.
Rolling Stone Covered Bridge is the next parallel north of US 36.
Rolling Stone #2 is a third covered bridge that is one parallel north of the Rolling Stone and is on gravel roads.
Pine Bluff Covered Bridge is on a graveled road.
Cornstalk Covered Bridge is the furthest north, east of Raccoon just off US 231. It is on a secondary road out of town to the south.