Cookeville is a city in Putnam County, Tennessee, Unite States. The population was 23,923 at the 2000 census. The 2004 Census estimate of Cookeville's population is 27,648, and the combined total of those living in Cookeville's ZIP codes in 2000 is 55,448. It is the county seat of Putnam County and home to Tennessee Technological University. It is recognized as one of the country's micropolitan areas, smaller towns which nevertheless function as significant economic hubs. Ranked as having the strongest economy among Tennessee's twenty micropolitan areas, Cookeville is the largest in the state, with a 2006 population of 99,942.