View source for Garfield County, Washington

{{Short description|County in Washington, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Garfield, Washington}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Garfield County
 | state                = Washington
 | seal                 = 
 | flag                 = 
 | founded year         = 1881
 | founded date         = November 29
 | seat wl              = Pomeroy
 | largest city wl      = Pomeroy
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 718
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 711
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 7.5
 | area percentage      = 1.0%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 2286
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 2404 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 3.1
 | time zone            = Pacific
 | web                  = www.co.garfield.wa.us
 | ex image             = Garfield County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Garfield County Courthouse in Pomeroy
 | district             = 5th
 | named for            = [[James A. Garfield]]
}}

'''Garfield County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 2,286,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/garfieldcountywashington/PST045223 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it the [[List of counties in Washington|least populous county in Washington]]; with about {{convert|3.2|PD/sqmi|/km2}}, it is also the least [[Population density|densely populated]] county in Washington. The [[county seat]] and only city is [[Pomeroy, Washington|Pomeroy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
The area delineated by the future Washington state boundary began to be colonized at the start of the nineteenth century, both by Americans and British. However, the majority of British exploration and interest in the land was due to the fur trade, whereas American settlers were principally seeking land for agriculture and cattle raising. The Treaty of 1818 provided for the creation of a British and American [[condominium (international law)|condominium]] over the region. During this period, the future [[Washington Territory]] was divided into two administrative zones, Clark County and Lewis County, officially in 1845. However, the condominium arrangement was unwieldy, leading to continuous disputes and occasional conflict; it was abolished by an [[Oregon Treaty|1846 treaty]] that established a boundary between British and American possessions that survives as today's [[Canada–United States border]].

In 1854, Skamania County was split from the original Clark County and [[Walla Walla County]] was split from the new [[Skamania County]]. In 1875, Columbia County was split from Walla Walla County, and on November 29, 1881, a portion of [[Columbia County (Washington)|Columbia County]] was set off to form Garfield County. The original Garfield County was reduced in size in 1883 when its southeastern area was partitioned off to form [[Asotin County, Washington|Asotin County]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2010 |title=Milestones for Washington State History &ndash; Part 2: 1851 to 1900 |url=http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5380 |website=HistoryLink}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Phil |date=February 14, 2006 |title=Asotin County &ndash; Thumbnail History |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7643 |website=HistoryLink}}</ref> It was named for the late [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[James A. Garfield]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gannett, Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=Govt. Print. Off. |year=1905 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n133 134]}}</ref> who had been assassinated two months earlier.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|718|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|711|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.5|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_53.txt |access-date=July 5, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is part of the [[Palouse]], a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle [[Columbia River|Columbia basin]].

===Geographic features===
*[[Alpowa Summit]]
*[[Snake River]]

===Major highway===
*[[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 12 in Washington|U.S. Route 12]]
*[[Image:WA-127.svg|20px]] [[Washington State Route 127|State Route 127]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Whitman County, Washington|Whitman County]] - north
*[[Asotin County, Washington|Asotin County]] - east
*[[Wallowa County, Oregon]] - south
*[[Columbia County, Washington|Columbia County]] - west

===National protected area===
*[[Umatilla National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 3897
|1900= 3918
|1910= 4199
|1920= 3875
|1930= 3662
|1940= 3383
|1950= 3204
|1960= 2976
|1970= 2911
|1980= 2468
|1990= 2248
|2000= 2397
|2010= 2266
|2020= 2286
|estyear=2024
|estimate=2404
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wa190090.txt |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 2,266 people, 989 households, and 650 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023257/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53023 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|3.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 1,233 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192008/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53023 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% white, 1.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 27.2% were [[Germans|German]], 22.4% were [[English people|English]], 19.9% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 7.9% were [[Dutch people|Dutch]], 5.5% were [[Swedes|Swedish]], and 3.4% were [[Americans|American]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011743/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53023 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 989 households, 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 49.0 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $42,469 and the median income for a family was $55,769. Males had a median income of $38,897 versus $30,650 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,825. About 14.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033045/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53023 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 2,397 people, 987 households, and 670 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.45% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.38% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.67% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.38% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.08% from two or more races. 1.96% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 28.8% were of [[German people|German]], 17.9% [[United States]] or American, 10.6% [[English people|English]] and 9.5% [[Irish American|Irish]] ancestry. 99.2% spoke [[English language|English]] as their first language.

There were 987 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,398, and the median income for a family was $41,645. Males had a median income of $33,313 versus $22,132 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,992. About 12.00% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==

===City===
*[[Pomeroy, Washington|Pomeroy]] (county seat)

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Dodge, Washington|Dodge]]
*[[Gould City, Washington|Gould City]]
*[[Mayview, Washington|Mayview]]
*[[Mentor, Washington|Mentor]]
*[[Pataha, Washington|Pataha]]
*[[Peola, Washington|Peola]]

===Ghost towns===
*[[Unfried, Washington|Unfried]]

==In popular culture==
Part of the 1996 film ''[[Black Sheep (1996 film)|Black Sheep]]'' takes place in Garfield County, but was not filmed there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |url=https://www.wikipedia.org/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=www.wikipedia.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Politics==
Garfield County has consistently voted for Republican candidates in presidential elections throughout its history. In only four elections since [[1896 United States presidential election in Washington (state)|1896]] have more voters chosen the Democratic candidate, the most recent being the [[1964 United States presidential election in Washington (state)|1964 election]]. In [[1912 United States presidential election in Washington (state)|1912]] the plurality of votes went instead to the [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive Party]] candidate, former Republican president [[Theodore Roosevelt]].{{cn|date=September 2025}}

{{PresHead|place=Garfield County, Washington|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 6, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|351|288|329|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|378|482|15|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|528|437|39|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|777|267|61|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|556|333|61|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|345|426|786|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|845|728|44|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|869|370|77|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|875|324|142|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,004|412|6|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|669|818|19|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|652|983|44|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,003|714|10|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|925|677|10|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|749|747|35|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,157|559|17|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|966|639|1|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|914|690|3|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|751|781|0|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|841|602|143|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,004|481|49|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|892|616|52|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|875|509|135|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|913|493|22|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|714|593|12|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|620|473|228|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|623|497|135|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|982|300|47|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|935|365|20|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|968|385|20|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|913|336|32|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|851|279|136|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,069|366|54|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|973|330|49|Washington (state)}}
{{PresFoot}}

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington#Garfield County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Garfield County, Washington]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Frank T. Gilbert, [https://archive.org/details/historicsketches00gilb ''Historic Sketches: Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory.''] Portland, OR: A.G. Walling Printing House, 1882.
* W.D. Lyman, ''Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County, Embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties.'' In Two Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1918. <small>[https://archive.org/details/lymanshistoryofo01lyma Volume 1] | [https://archive.org/details/lymanshistoryofo02lyma Volume 2]</small>
* Frederic Ambrose Shaver, [https://archive.org/details/illustratedhisto00shav ''An Illustrated History of Southeastern Washington, Including Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties, Washington.''] Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1906.

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Garfield County, Washington
|North     = [[Whitman County, Washington|Whitman County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Asotin County, Washington|Asotin County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Wallowa County, Oregon]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Columbia County, Washington|Columbia County]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Garfield County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|46.43|-117.53|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Garfield County, Washington| ]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in Washington Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1881]]
[[Category:Washington (state) counties]]
[[Category:Eastern Washington]]