Population (2025 estimate)76,600 — April 1, 2025 estimate
River Towns With A Natural Rhythm
Putnam County, FloridaPutnam County brings together the St. Johns River, Palatka and Ravine Gardens. Palatka is a gateway to the St. Johns River and the county seat. Crescent City, Interlachen, Welaka and Pomona Park contribute distinct community settings. Ravine Gardens and Dunns Creek provide two different park landscapes, with walking and outdoor plans shaped by weather and site conditions. Use this guide to connect a day out with the practical resources that make local plans easier.
Putnam County at a Glance
Population (2025 estimate)76,600 — April 1, 2025 estimate
County SeatPalatka
Largest MunicipalityPalatka — largest municipality, 2025 estimate
Established1849
ZIP CodeLook up by address
Total Area826.9 square miles, land and water (2025 Census geography)
Selected Major RoutesUS 17, SR 19, SR 20, SR 100
Common Area Codes386
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
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Discover Putnam County
Putnam County
Established in 1849, Putnam County has its county seat in Palatka. Palatka is a gateway to the St. Johns River and the county seat. Crescent City, Interlachen, Welaka and Pomona Park contribute distinct community settings. Ravine Gardens and Dunns Creek provide two different park landscapes, with walking and outdoor plans shaped by weather and site conditions. These places give the county more than one center of activity. Exploring the communities separately makes room for local character, instead of treating every destination as part of a single visitor district.
Everyday life in Putnam County spans Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen. Planning around the community you are actually visiting helps with travel, shopping and appointments. This guide connects local discoveries with county government, school information, library services and public resources. Use the linked agencies for current service arrangements, and check individual venues before setting out. County boundaries, municipal services and business service areas are not interchangeable.
What Shapes Us
River Heritage
Begin with the St. Johns River, Palatka and Ravine Gardens. Choose one part of the county to explore, then follow the official visitor resources for access and practical details.
Small Communities
Get to know Palatka and the surrounding communities through their public spaces, local destinations and everyday services. Let the place itself shape your next stop.
Natural Landscapes
Pair a local outing with the practical information you need. Agency links, visitor resources and direct business contacts help turn an idea into a workable plan.
Find your own pace among these local places.
A Sense of Place
Putnam County in View
Community scenes, landscapes and local details.
WUFT — North Central Florida
8th Judicial Circuit gives Gainesville residents insight into criminal sentencing process
Local judges pulled back the curtain Wednesday on the factors that influence punishment in criminal cases as part…
Read the Story Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Putnam County
Stories from every corner of Putnam County.
8th Judicial Circuit gives Gainesville residents insight into criminal sentencing process
Local judges pulled back the curtain Wednesday on the factors that influence punishment in criminal cases as part…
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Hurricane Warnings issued as Isaias heads towards northern Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Isaias is expected strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane on Friday. The cyclone is headed towards…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Ahead of Banned Books Week, Gainesville families learn First Amendment rights at bookstore event
About 15 kids from preschool to 9th grade listened to Allison Matulli read. Afterwards, she gave advice to…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Nonprofit group brings breast cancer education to UF students
The Gainesville nonprofit Blossoming Butterfly Inc. brought health educators and a cancer survivor to campus on Tuesday to…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Alachua City Commission approves first reading of 12-month moratorium on data centers
Alachua city commissioners approved the first reading of a 12-month moratorium Monday on the development of data centers.…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Everyday Connections
Find the right local resource
Use these direct agency links to plan visits, locate services and confirm current requirements.
Government
Putnam County — Property Appraiser
Local government information and public services.
Putnam County — Clerk of the Circuit Court
Official office information and local public services.
Putnam County — Supervisor of Elections
Official office information and local public services.
Putnam County — Tax Collector
Official office information and local public services.
County Supervisor of Elections Contact Lookup
Select Putnam for the local election office’s official contact information; state directory updated September 24, 2026.
Putnam County Government
County departments, public notices and public services.
Schools
Florida School District Contacts
Select this county for the district website and enrollment contacts.
Florida Department of Education
State education programs and school information.
Florida School Accountability Reports
Compare published school and district information.
Florida Virtual School
Explore statewide online public-school options.
Federal Student Aid
College financial aid information and applications.
Hospitals and Health Care
Florida Department of Health in Putnam County
Local public-health services and clinic contacts; confirm which services are offered at each location.
County Health Department Locator
Select this county for public-health service locations; this is not a hospital directory.
Florida Health Finder
State healthcare facility information; search by county.
Medicare Care Compare
Find and compare hospitals and other care providers.
HRSA Find a Health Center
Locate federally supported health centers by address.
Public Safety
Putnam County — Sheriff’s Office
Agency information and non-emergency contacts; call 911 for an emergency.
Putnam County — Fire Rescue
Local agency contacts and non-emergency information; call 911 in an emergency.
Putnam County — Emergency Management
Local public-safety preparedness and official incident information; use 911 for emergencies.
Florida Highway Patrol
State highway law enforcement information.
Florida 511
Check road incidents and travel conditions.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife concerns and agency contacts.
Emergency Services
Putnam County — Emergency Management
Local preparedness, warnings and emergency information.
Putnam County — Emergency Management
County-specific emergency-management contact, linked by Florida’s emergency agency; check active local notices.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
State preparedness and disaster updates.
National Hurricane Center
Official tropical weather forecasts and advisories.
National Weather Service
Local forecasts, watches and warnings.
Disaster Assistance
Check federal assistance options after a declared disaster.
State Parks
Dunns Creek State Park
Trails for walking and other permitted activities; use the official trail and access information.
Ravine Gardens State Park
Garden and ravine landscape in Palatka; review current park access.
Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail — Putnam Segment
State-managed rail trail through several counties, including Putnam. Use the official map to identify completed segments and local access; not the entire planned corridor is paved.
Florida State Parks
Find state parks and review official park notices.
State Park Reservations
Check campsite and cabin availability.
Trails
Palatka Riverfront Park
Walk the public riverfront and enjoy picnic areas along the St. Johns River.
Dunns Creek State Park
Trails for walking and other permitted activities; use the official trail and access information.
Putnam County — Parks & Recreation
Find local parks, trail information and access notices.
Florida Greenways and Trails
State trails planning and recreation resources.
Florida Trail Association
Trail information and hiking resources.
Utilities
Find Your Utility Service Territory
Select Putnam in the state map to identify potential electric, gas, water and wastewater providers; confirm address-level coverage.
Local Home Energy Assistance Provider
Find the agency serving Putnam and ask about eligibility and available home-energy bill assistance.
Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Reports
Learn how to obtain and understand the annual quality report from your own drinking-water supplier.
Florida Public Service Commission
Information about regulated utility service and assistance.
Florida 811
Arrange underground utility marking before digging.
Libraries
Putnam County — Library
Local library locations, collections and service information.
Putnam County Library System
County library system, catalog and branch information; verify local branch hours.
Florida Memory — State Library and Archives
Search historical photographs, documents and oral histories for local research; digital statewide collection.
Florida Electronic Library
Statewide digital research resources.
Ask a Librarian
Online reference assistance through Florida libraries.
Florida Braille and Talking Book Library
Accessible library services and eligibility information.
Courts
Putnam County — Clerk of the Circuit Court
Court records, filing information and local court services.
Florida Courts
State court information and court locator.
Florida Courts Help
Self-help information and court resources.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Electronic filing portal; review applicable requirements.
Florida Legal Services
Civil legal assistance information.
DMV
Putnam County — Tax Collector
Confirm office services, appointment requirements and documentation.
Putnam County — Motor Vehicle Office Directory
County-specific office addresses, transactions and appointment links maintained by FLHSMV.
Driver Licenses and ID Cards
Official Florida licensing and identification requirements.
Motor Vehicles, Tags and Titles
Registration and vehicle-title information.
MyDMV Portal
Online services offered by the state motor vehicle agency.
Motor Vehicle Service Locations
Find the appropriate office and check services before traveling.
Transportation
Putnam County — Community Transportation Coordinator
Find Putnam in FDOT’s county directory for the local provider, ride-booking number and eligibility contact.
Florida 511
Statewide traffic conditions and incidents.
Florida Department of Transportation
State road projects and transportation information.
SunPass
Toll account information and service.
Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
Transportation coordination and eligibility resources.
Postal Services
USPS Location Finder
Find local post offices and available services by ZIP Code.
USPS Tracking
Track a mailed item.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Confirm an address ZIP Code; county boundaries are not postal boundaries.
USPS Hold Mail
Arrange eligible temporary mail holds.
USPS Change of Address
Official change-of-address service.
Veterans
Putnam County — Veterans Services
Local veterans assistance and benefit navigation.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
State veterans programs and benefits information.
VA Facility Locator
Find the appropriate VA facility near your address.
VA Health Care
Eligibility, enrollment and care information.
VA Benefits
Federal veterans benefits and account services.
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential crisis support: dial 988, then press 1.
Employment
Putnam County — Human Resources
County jobs and application requirements.
CareerSource Florida
Find regional workforce services and career centers.
Employ Florida
State job search and employment tools.
Florida State Jobs
State government employment opportunities.
USAJOBS
Federal employment opportunities.
Florida Reemployment Assistance
Official information about reemployment assistance.
Make Your Next Step Easier
Useful answers for exploring and everyday life.
Putnam County Questions
Know Before You Go
Start with these county facts and direct links, then confirm the details that matter to your plans.
Putnam County is associated with the St. Johns River, Palatka and Ravine Gardens. Start with the official local visitor resource to choose a community and check the details for your visit.
Palatka is the county seat. Putnam County Government provides department information; check the specific office address before making a trip.
Palatka is the largest municipality in the April 1, 2025 state population estimates. This comparison uses incorporated municipalities, not census-designated places or metropolitan areas.
The April 1, 2025 estimate is 76,600 residents. The figure comes from Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, and is an estimate for that date rather than a live population count.
Putnam County was established in 1849. The county history source provides the historical reference; the establishment year does not describe the age of the communities or cultures that preceded it.
Use the Florida Department of Education district directory and select Putnam. Contact the district about enrollment and address-specific school assignments; a mailing city alone does not establish attendance eligibility.
Start with Putnam County Government and its emergency information, then consult the National Weather Service for weather alerts. Review the current notice for your location rather than relying on an older event post.
Use the Florida county health department locator and select Putnam for public-health services. For hospital and facility research, use Florida Health Finder. These resources help locate services; they do not confirm appointment availability.
Check the Florida motor vehicle office locator for the office serving your area. Review the offered services, required documents and appointment process before traveling; not every office handles every transaction.
Start with Ravine Gardens State Park or Dunns Creek State Park. Garden and ravine landscape in Palatka; review current park access. Trails for walking and other permitted activities; use the official trail and access information.
Use the direct business links: Midland Sitework Solutions. Confirm the specific service and location directly. An advertisement in this county guide does not establish countywide service coverage.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Local Places
Make room for a different kind of dayFollow the linked venues for visiting details and current availability.
Kids’ Fun
- Ravine Gardens State Park — Garden and ravine landscape in Palatka; review current park access.
- Dunns Creek State Park — Trails for walking and other permitted activities; use the official trail and access information.
- Palatka Riverfront Park — Riverfront playground, open lawns and picnic space.
Restaurants
- Angel’s Diner — 209 Reid Street, Palatka. Listed in the chamber’s current downloadable dining guide; confirm hours directly.
- Magnolia Café — 705 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka. Check the restaurant’s current menu and hours.
- Corky Bell’s Seafood — 185 Highway 17 South, East Palatka. Seafood dining listed by the county chamber.
Shopping & Retail
- Lemon Street Market & Mercantile — Vintage pieces and locally made goods in Palatka.
- Putnam Bicycles — Family-run bicycle shop in downtown Palatka.
- Elsie Bell’s Antique Mall — Browse antiques, vintage furnishings and gifts in Palatka.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Turquoise & Tinsel Boutique — Casual apparel and dresses in downtown Palatka.
- Things & Tings — Men’s and women’s clothing with Caribbean influence.
- Daniel Thompson Bridals — Custom bridal and formal attire; arrange an appointment.
Outdoor Fun
- Ravine Gardens State Park — Garden and ravine landscape in Palatka; review current park access.
- Dunns Creek State Park — Trails for walking and other permitted activities; use the official trail and access information.
- Palatka Riverfront Park — Walk the public riverfront and enjoy picnic areas along the St. Johns River.
Free Things To Do
- Mount Royal Archaeological Site — Free access to the preserved archaeological site at 120 Indian Mound Drive near Crescent City; respect the protected earthworks.
- Palatka mural walk — See the historic murals from public streets on a self-guided walk.
- Bronson-Mulholland House gardens — The city-owned gardens are free to enter; house tours follow separate arrangements.
Keep exploring Putnam CountyFind Your Next Local Stop