Tourism in Putnam County
Dive Into All That Putnam Has To Offer
Beautiful Putnam County
Whether you’re seeking the majestic beauty of the Hudson River, gentle rolling hills, quaint villages, or the bucolic tranquility of farm life, Putnam County has a wealth of offerings for visitors seeking the best of the Hudson Valley.
Conveniently located and easily accessible to and from New York City, Putnam offers unexpected year-round attractions just an hour’s drive north of midtown Manhattan. Looking for outdoor recreational activities? Putnam has a range of possibilities – from swimming, hiking and golf on elite courses in the warmer months, to snowboarding and skiing each winter.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll be thrilled at how our innovative chefs transform fresh, local ingredients into superb artisanal dining offerings. Arts lovers will be drawn to Putnam’s numerous festivals, theaters, galleries, museums and music venues. And if you’re a history buff, you’ll find significant historical sites and well-preserved, elegant 19th century estates.
Check out the Department of Tourism website to learn of the countless exciting experiences you could have in Putnam!
Our Region
Putnam County Demographics
| Population | |
| Population estimates, July 1, 2017, (V2017) | 99,323 |
| Population estimates base, April 1, 2010, (V2017) | 99,648 |
| Population, percent change – April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2017, (V2017) | -0.3% |
| Population, Census, April 1, 2010 | 99,710 |
| Housing | |
| Housing units, July 1, 2017, (V2017) | 38,645 |
| Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2012-2016 | 82.0% |
| Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2012-2016 | $354,800 |
| Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2012-2016 | $2,726 |
| Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2012-2016 | $1,070 |
| Median gross rent, 2012-2016 | $1,307 |
| Building permits, 2017 | 51 |
| Families & Living Arrangements | |
| Households, 2012-2016 | 34,102 |
| Persons per household, 2012-2016 | 2.84 |
| Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2012-2016 | 93.2% |
| Education | |
| High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2012-2016 | 92.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2012-2016 | 38.9% |
| Economy | |
| In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2012-2016 | 67.3% |
| In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2012-2016 | 62.9% |
| Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 100,356 |
| Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 559,073 |
| Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 308,619 |
| Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 516,251 |
| Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 952,194 |
| Total retail sales per capita, 2012(c) | $9,560 |
| Income | |
| Median household income (in 2016 dollars), 2012-2016 | $97,606 |
| Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2016 dollars), 2012-2016 | $41,993 |
| Businesses | |
| Total employer establishments, 2016 | 2,875 |
| Total employment, 2016 | 20,972 |
| Total annual payroll, 2016 ($1,000) | 908,354 |
| Total employment, percent change, 2015-2016 | 1.0% |
| Total nonemployer establishments, 2016 | 9,352 |
| All firms, 2012 | 10,790 |
| Men-owned firms, 2012 | 6,376 |
| Women-owned firms, 2012 | 3,373 |
| Minority-owned firms, 2012 | 1,339 |
| Nonminority-owned firms, 2012 | 9,078 |
| Veteran-owned firms, 2012 | 756 |
| Nonveteran-owned firms, 2012 | 9,632 |
What We Can Do For You
- The Putnam County IDA provides incentives for private sector business investments and job creation resulting in economic growth and improved quality of life.
- The Putnam County IDA coordinates these incentives for each project which are typically delivered in the form of real property tax exemption, sometimes offset by payment in lieu of taxes (PILOTS), sales tax exemption on project related construction materials and equipment, New York State Mortgage Recording tax exemption or other negotiated local incentives.
- The primary way the Putnam County IDA promotes economic growth is through the issuance of tax exempt or taxable industrial development revenue bonds for businesses that wish to locate or expand their operation in Putnam County.
- Machinery and equipment may be financed with Putnam County IDA bonds. The Putnam County IDA issues the bonds; it does not loan money directly to the Company seeking IDA assistance; rather, a financial institution loans the funds to the Company through the IDA. Most often a bank or underwriter will purchase the bonds and, in effect, make the loan to the Company.
- The bonds are secured by the financial strength and credit of the applicant and by a mortgage on the facility financed with the bonds. It is not unusual to request additional collateral to secure the bond issuance.
- A second way the Putnam County IDA can promote economic growth is through a Sale/Leaseback transaction.
- The Sale/Leaseback transaction or “Straight-Lease” option requires the applicant to secure project financing through banks or private sources without utilizing bond issuance.
- In this transaction, the Company conveys title to the project to the Putnam County IDA. The Putnam County IDA agrees to grant mortgages on and security interest in the project in favor of the lenders in behalf of the Company.
- The purpose of this kind of transaction is to make the tax management capabilities of the Putnam County IDA available to a project without including the Putnam County IDA in the financing for a project to reduce the complexity and expense involved in the transaction. The Putnam County IDA will re-convey title to the project or company at an agreed upon date; normally at the end of the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Tax) abatement period for the project.