Garfield County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 Garfield County Courthouse in Pomeroy | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
| Coordinates:46°26′N117°32′W / 46.43°N 117.53°W /46.43; -117.53 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | November 29, 1881 |
| Named after | James A. Garfield |
| Seat | Pomeroy |
| Largest city | Pomeroy |
| Area | |
• Total | 718 sq mi (1,860 km2) |
| • Land | 711 sq mi (1,840 km2) |
| • Water | 7.5 sq mi (19 km2) 1.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,286 |
• Estimate (2024) | 2,404 |
| • Density | 3.1/sq mi (1.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
Garfield County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofWashington. As of the2020 census, the population was 2,286,[1] making it theleast populous county in Washington; with about 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2), it is also the leastdensely populated county in Washington. Thecounty seat and only city isPomeroy.[2]
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 Americancondominium over the region. During this period, the futureWashington 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 an1846 treaty that established a boundary between British and American possessions that survives as today'sCanada–United States border.
In 1854, Skamania County was split from the original Clark County andWalla Walla County was split from the newSkamania County. In 1875, Columbia County was split from Walla Walla County, and on November 29, 1881, a portion ofColumbia 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 formAsotin County.[3][4] It was named for the lateU.S. PresidentJames A. Garfield,[5] who had been assassinated two months earlier.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 711 square miles (1,840 km2) is land and 7.5 square miles (19 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6] It is part of thePalouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middleColumbia basin.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 3,897 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,918 | 0.5% | |
| 1910 | 4,199 | 7.2% | |
| 1920 | 3,875 | −7.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,662 | −5.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,383 | −7.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,204 | −5.3% | |
| 1960 | 2,976 | −7.1% | |
| 1970 | 2,911 | −2.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,468 | −15.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,248 | −8.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,397 | 6.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,266 | −5.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,286 | 0.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 2,404 | [7] | 5.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 2,286. Of the residents, 21.3% were under the age of 18 and 27.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 48.1 years. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.0 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[12][13]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 2,304 | 2,102 | 2,055 | 96.12% | 92.76% | 89.90% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.13% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 9 | 5 | 18 | 0.38% | 0.22% | 0.79% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 15 | 38 | 9 | 0.63% | 1.68% | 0.39% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.04% | 0.18% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 20 | 26 | 86 | 0.83% | 1.15% | 3.76% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 47 | 91 | 110 | 1.96% | 4.02% | 4.81% |
| Total | 2,397 | 2,266 | 2,286 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 91.8% White, 0.4%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, 1.2% from some other race, and 5.3% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.8% of the population.[17]
There were 964 households in the county, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 1,194 housing units, of which 19.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.8% were owner-occupied and 25.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.3%.[13]
As of the2010 census, there were 2,266 people, 989 households, and 650 families living in the county.[18] The population density was 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2). There were 1,233 housing units at an average density of 1.7 units per square mile (0.66 units/km2).[19] 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.[18] In terms of ancestry, 27.2% wereGerman, 22.4% wereEnglish, 19.9% wereIrish, 7.9% wereDutch, 5.5% wereSwedish, and 3.4% wereAmerican.[20]
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.[18]
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 thepoverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.[21]
As of the2000 census, there were 2,397 people, 987 households, and 670 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.45%White, 0.38%Native American, 0.67%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 1.38% fromother races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 1.96% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 28.8% were ofGerman, 17.9%United States or American, 10.6%English and 9.5%Irish ancestry. 99.2% spokeEnglish 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the county was $16,992. About 12.00% of families and 14.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.
Part of the 1996 filmBlack Sheep takes place in Garfield County, but was not filmed there.[22]
Garfield County has consistently voted for Republican candidates in presidential elections throughout its history. In only four elections since1896 have more voters chosen the Democratic candidate, the most recent being the1964 election. In1912 the plurality of votes went instead to theProgressive Party candidate, former Republican presidentTheodore Roosevelt.[citation needed]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 351 | 36.26% | 288 | 29.75% | 329 | 33.99% |
| 1896 | 378 | 43.20% | 482 | 55.09% | 15 | 1.71% |
| 1900 | 528 | 52.59% | 437 | 43.53% | 39 | 3.88% |
| 1904 | 777 | 70.32% | 267 | 24.16% | 61 | 5.52% |
| 1908 | 556 | 58.53% | 333 | 35.05% | 61 | 6.42% |
| 1912 | 345 | 22.16% | 426 | 27.36% | 786 | 50.48% |
| 1916 | 845 | 52.26% | 728 | 45.02% | 44 | 2.72% |
| 1920 | 869 | 66.03% | 370 | 28.12% | 77 | 5.85% |
| 1924 | 875 | 65.25% | 324 | 24.16% | 142 | 10.59% |
| 1928 | 1,004 | 70.60% | 412 | 28.97% | 6 | 0.42% |
| 1932 | 669 | 44.42% | 818 | 54.32% | 19 | 1.26% |
| 1936 | 652 | 38.83% | 983 | 58.55% | 44 | 2.62% |
| 1940 | 1,003 | 58.08% | 714 | 41.34% | 10 | 0.58% |
| 1944 | 925 | 57.38% | 677 | 42.00% | 10 | 0.62% |
| 1948 | 749 | 48.92% | 747 | 48.79% | 35 | 2.29% |
| 1952 | 1,157 | 66.76% | 559 | 32.26% | 17 | 0.98% |
| 1956 | 966 | 60.15% | 639 | 39.79% | 1 | 0.06% |
| 1960 | 914 | 56.88% | 690 | 42.94% | 3 | 0.19% |
| 1964 | 751 | 49.02% | 781 | 50.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 841 | 53.03% | 602 | 37.96% | 143 | 9.02% |
| 1972 | 1,004 | 65.45% | 481 | 31.36% | 49 | 3.19% |
| 1976 | 892 | 57.18% | 616 | 39.49% | 52 | 3.33% |
| 1980 | 875 | 57.60% | 509 | 33.51% | 135 | 8.89% |
| 1984 | 913 | 63.94% | 493 | 34.52% | 22 | 1.54% |
| 1988 | 714 | 54.13% | 593 | 44.96% | 12 | 0.91% |
| 1992 | 620 | 46.93% | 473 | 35.81% | 228 | 17.26% |
| 1996 | 623 | 49.64% | 497 | 39.60% | 135 | 10.76% |
| 2000 | 982 | 73.89% | 300 | 22.57% | 47 | 3.54% |
| 2004 | 935 | 70.83% | 365 | 27.65% | 20 | 1.52% |
| 2008 | 968 | 70.50% | 385 | 28.04% | 20 | 1.46% |
| 2012 | 913 | 71.44% | 336 | 26.29% | 29 | 2.27% |
| 2016 | 851 | 68.30% | 279 | 22.39% | 116 | 9.31% |
| 2020 | 1,069 | 71.79% | 366 | 24.58% | 54 | 3.63% |
| 2024 | 973 | 71.97% | 330 | 24.41% | 49 | 3.62% |
Places adjacent to Garfield County, Washington | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofGarfield County, Washington,United States | ||
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