Population 2,353 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Garfield County
Household size in Garfield County
| Period | Garfield County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.24 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.29 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.17 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Garfield County is a place of small households, averaging 2.29 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.46, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. Garfield County has smaller households than at least four in five Washington counties.
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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.2 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.2 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.4 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.8 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Garfield County skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families.
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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Garfield County: 2.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. No other Washington county has 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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.2% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.8% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.1% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Garfield County is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than half of owners (55.0%) have paid off their mortgages, 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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.3% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.7% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −10.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Garfield County: 15.7% of homes are empty, 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. Garfield County has a higher vacancy rate than the great majority of Washington counties.
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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1941 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1946 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1959 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1961 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +20 | +6 | +6 |
Garfield County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1961, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Only one other Washington county has older homes.
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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $578 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $625 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $607 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $810 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$232 | +$858 | +$606 |
The median renter in Garfield County pays $810 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 35.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other Washington county has lower rents.
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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.4% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.1% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.2 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Garfield County than nationally: 31.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Compared with other Washington counties, though, Garfield County has a higher share of college graduates than most.
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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.8% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.8% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.2% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Garfield County is above the national rate: 94.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Garfield County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Washington 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 | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Garfield County is close to the national rate: 5.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Washington overall (5.1%). 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 | 2.29 | 47.4 | 2.4% | 23.1% | 15.7% | 1961 | $810 | 31.1% | 94.1% | 5.9% |
| Columbia County | 2.11 | 49.5 | 9.6% | 22.3% | 15.8% | 1956 | $1,020 | 23.9% | 89.1% | 4.2% |
| Asotin County | 2.40 | 46.4 | 10.4% | 26.8% | 9.1% | 1976 | $1,133 | 23.9% | 92.2% | 4.8% |
| Nez Perce County | 2.45 | 42.2 | 13.1% | 29.6% | 8.5% | 1971 | $1,070 | 26.8% | 93.3% | 2.7% |
| Clearwater County | 2.31 | 51.4 | 7.2% | 17.1% | 18.0% | 1977 | $897 | 17.1% | 91.5% | 4.4% |
| Franklin County | 3.30 | 32.1 | 18.2% | 29.0% | 5.6% | 1991 | $1,562 | 21.7% | 77.4% | 5.0% |
| Yakima County | 3.01 | 34.2 | 18.2% | 38.2% | 6.1% | 1977 | $1,212 | 18.5% | 75.7% | 7.4% |
| Ravalli County | 2.56 | 48.6 | 6.0% | 20.6% | 12.3% | 1988 | $1,131 | 29.0% | 93.4% | 3.0% |
| Granite County | 2.25 | 52.4 | 6.0% | 22.1% | 36.5% | 1981 | $678 | 33.6% | 93.9% | 3.7% |
| Powell County | 2.24 | 45.9 | 5.6% | 27.5% | 16.5% | 1965 | $840 | 20.0% | 93.6% | 2.5% |
| Pacific County | 2.18 | 52.8 | 9.7% | 18.2% | 28.9% | 1973 | $1,160 | 24.8% | 90.9% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Pershing County, NV · Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK · Lake County, CO · Pembina County, ND · Pepin County, WI · Perkins County, NE · Perkins County, SD · Perry County, AL · Perry County, AR · Perry County, MS
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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