Population 1,094 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Garfield County
Household size in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.50 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Garfield County has 2.50 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Montana. Compared with other Montana counties, though, Garfield County has larger households than most.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.5 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.1 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.8 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.3 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | −3.2 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Garfield County is 43.3 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 46.5, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Garfield County: 3.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Of Montana's 56 counties, only four have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Garfield County
Renters in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.6% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.7% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.9% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.8% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.2 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than a quarter of households in Garfield County rent their homes (27.8%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 70.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.3% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 46.9% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 46.2% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.8% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 40.8% of the housing in Garfield County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. No other Montana county has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +17 | +7 | +6 |
The typical home in Garfield County was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980).
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $348 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $492 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $570 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $725 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$377 | +$487 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Garfield County costs $725 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 19.5% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Garfield County
Bachelor's degrees in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.0% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Garfield County: 21.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Garfield County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Montana counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.1% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.2% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.3% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Garfield County: 96.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Garfield County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Montana counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.6% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 0.2% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 0.0% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
The survey found almost no one in Garfield County out of work and looking, against 5.4% of the labor force nationally. Only one other Montana county has lower unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Garfield County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield County | 2.50 | 43.3 | 3.0% | 27.8% | 40.8% | 1978 | $725 | 21.0% | 96.2% | 0.0% |
| McCone County | 2.07 | 51.5 | 1.6% | 10.2% | 25.4% | 1964 | $552 | 23.5% | 97.7% | 1.8% |
| Petroleum County | 2.02 | 51.6 | 3.2% | 27.1% | 28.9% | 1983 | $800 | 30.8% | 98.9% | 0.0% |
| Prairie County | 2.24 | 57.8 | 6.6% | 16.1% | 20.7% | 1957 | $627 | 26.9% | 96.5% | 0.9% |
| Dawson County | 2.39 | 42.5 | 8.8% | 28.1% | 17.8% | 1964 | $801 | 22.0% | 93.7% | 3.1% |
| Fergus County | 2.17 | 44.9 | 9.6% | 36.6% | 12.1% | 1969 | $940 | 23.8% | 95.2% | 4.2% |
| Richland County | 2.58 | 38.7 | 9.5% | 32.9% | 20.6% | 1980 | $908 | 22.2% | 95.3% | 3.1% |
| Wibaux County | 2.52 | 41.0 | 5.4% | 27.5% | 22.5% | 1973 | $963 | 22.5% | 96.0% | 1.7% |
| Golden Valley County | 2.33 | 50.4 | 4.2% | 20.5% | 22.1% | 1957 | $612 | 22.4% | 96.5% | 3.9% |
| Judith Basin County | 2.25 | 46.2 | 5.6% | 27.3% | 27.3% | 1967 | $497 | 31.1% | 92.9% | 0.1% |
| Billings County | 2.46 | 41.8 | 3.2% | 22.1% | 25.5% | 1983 | $621 | 32.6% | 95.2% | 2.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Palo Alto County, IA · Lee County, AR · Lee County, KY · Lemhi County, ID · Leslie County, KY · Lewis County, ID · Lewis County, MO · Lexington City, VA · Marshall County, SD · Ozark County, MO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Garfield County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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