Putnam, Texas
Putnam is a small community in Callahan County, on the mesquite-and-grassland ranch country of West Texas about 32 miles east of Abilene. The town grew up as a stop along the Texas and Pacific Railway, and its later economy leaned on ranching, farming, and oil production drawn from the surrounding county. Today it is a quiet crossroads settlement surrounded by open rangeland.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- Town
- July 2025 population
- 70
- Change from 2020 base
- +6.1%
- Land area
- 1 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Callahan County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Property here runs through the appraisal district and tax office for Callahan County. The homestead exemption, appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level.
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
County context
What to know around Putnam
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Putnam.
Local History
Baird became the county seat because of the railroad
Callahan County had two earlier county seats before Baird, and the railroad decided which town survived and which one faded away.
Property Tax
Two offices handle property taxes here
Value questions go to one office on Chestnut Street and the bill goes to another on Market Street, and new residents call the wrong one all the time.
Homestead Exemption
Homestead exemption can lower your tax bill
If your home is your primary residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that lowers the taxable value of your property.
Nearby
Places near Putnam
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Putnam
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