Garfield County, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garfield County
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Garfield County Courthouse in Pomeroy
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Location within the U.S. state of Washington
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 Washington's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | November 29, 1881 |
| Named for | 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)
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| • Total | 2,286 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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2,363  |
| • Density | 3.1/sq mi (1.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,286, making it the least populous county in Washington; with about 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2), it is also the least densely populated county in Washington. The county seat and only city is Pomeroy.
Contents
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 over the region. During this period, the future Washington Territory was divided into two administrative zones: Clark County and Lewis County (made official in 1845). However, the condominium arrangement was unwieldy, leading to continuous disputes and occasional conflict; it was abolished by an 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. Also in 1854, 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 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. It was named for the late U.S. President James A. Garfield, who had been assassinated a few weeks prior.
Geography
According to the United 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. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.
Geographic features
Major highway
U.S. Route 12
State Route 127
Adjacent counties
- Whitman County - north
- Asotin County - east
- Wallowa County, Oregon - south
- Columbia County - west
National protected area
- Umatilla National Forest (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 2,363 | 4.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 2,266 people, 989 households, and 650 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 27.2% were German, 22.4% were English, 19.9% were Irish, 7.9% were Dutch, 5.5% were Swedish, and 3.4% were American.
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.
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.
Communities
City
- Pomeroy (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
- Dodge
- Gould City
- Mayview
- Pataha
- Peola
In popular culture
Part of the 1996 film Black Sheep takes place in Garfield County, but was not filmed there.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Garfield (Washington) para niños
