Garfield County

Garfield County was created from a part of Columbia county in 1881. The county, named after James Garfield, a US president, was established by the territorial legislature in 1881. The temporary county seat for Garfield County, Washington, was located in Pataha City, three miles east of Pomeroy. The permanent county seat, Pomeroy, was later decided in 1882.

The county is unique as it is the only county in Washington State whose permanent county seat was established by an act of Congress. The county is located in Southeastern Washington. The county map shows it borders Asotin County to the east, Columbia county to the west, and the Snake River to the north. On the southern border of Garfield County is the Oregon state line with elevations that rise to the Blue Mountains.

Garfield County Topography 

Garfield County covers a geographical area of about 714 square miles and a geographic center of 46.48094867°(N), -117.54199244°(W).

The Garfield County, Washington elevations range from 600 feet along the Snake River and 4,600 feet along the southern boundary.

The soil associations in Garfield County, Washington range from moderately steep to very steep, and the exposures are south and west. The Oliphant soils are deeper than 40 inches, and they are silt throughout. The Walla Walla soils are also deeper than 40 inches, and they are silt loam throughout. Exposures are north and east.

The soil association is ideal for various activities, including recreation, range, water supply, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and dryland farming. The farms range in size from 1,200 to 1,600 acres and are used for dry farming and range. Walla Walla and Oliphant soils have a high potential for forage production. The association has few springs, and few sites are available for stock tanks and ponds.

Climate 

Garfield County, Washington, receives an average of 19 inches of rain per year, with the US average being 38 inches per year. Additionally, the average snow per year in the United States is 28 inches, while Garfield County receives about 27 inches per year.

On average, you’ll enjoy a total of 169 sunny days in Garfield County, Washington. The number of sunny days in the United States is 205 sunny days.

Garfield County also receives some precipitation. The precipitation happens for about 110 days per year. Precipitation refers to hail, rain, sleet, or snow that falls to the ground. For it to measure or count, it must fall at least .01 inches on the ground.

The summer high in Garfield County, Washington, is in July, which is 84 degrees, winter low is in January, which is 26 degrees.

Population

According to the 2019 census estimates, Garfield County, Washington, has a population of 2,225. The numbers make Garfield County one of the most densely populated counties. The 2019 population is a 1.8 percent reduction from the 2,266 count in 2010. The county’s population continues to age out as the younger population leaves the county to look for better opportunities in other towns and cities.

The county seat, Pomeroy, is the largest city in the county and has a population of 1,400 based on the 2019 census. Pataha city is the other notable city in the county.

25.3 percent of Garfield County’s population has attained the retirement age of 65 years. The retirement community number is high compared with the 15.9 percent in Washington state. Additionally, the population of people under 18 years of age makes 21.0 percent of the population, compared to the 21.8 percent in the state.

The youngest age group in Garfield County, those below 5 years old, comprise 7.5 percent of the total population. The youngest population in Washington state is 6.0 percent.

The county also boasts of a diversity of races. For instance, 88.1 percent of residents are white alone, not Latino or Hispanic. On the other hand, 5.6 percent of the whole population at Garfield County is of Latino or Hispanic origin. Washington state has a 13.0 percent Latino or Hispanic origin population, while 67.5 percent of the total population is whites only.

In terms of gender, 51.2 percent of the population at Garfield County is made up of females. The female population in the county is higher than the Washington state’s, which is 49.9 percent.

Between 2015-2019, 94.4 percent of people aged 25 and above were high school graduates, higher than Washington state’s 91.3 percent.

At the same time, it is estimated that 24.5 percent of people in Garfield County, 25 years of age and above, have a university degree or higher. The number is low compared to the 36.0 percent in Washington state.

Garfield County Offices

The Garfield County sheriff’s office has a mission to protect and help the people of Garfield County. Drew Hyer is Garfield county’s 22nd county sheriff and was appointed on May 1, 2017. In November, he ran for the general election and was sworn in as an elected county official on December 1, 2017. You can reach the Garfield county sheriff’s office by phone using phone number 509-843-3494.

The county also has an assessor’s office whose primary duty is to identify and determine the value of all taxable personal and real property. This helps in the equitable distribution of tax liabilities to property owners in their tax districts.

You can reach the Garfield county’s assessor’s office by phone at 509-843-3631 or fax at 509-843-3941.

Another office in Garfield County is the auditor’s office. The auditor’s office has various responsibilities, including providing auto and vessel licensing, administering elections, preparing the annual report, issuing marriage licenses and other public records,  etc.

Mckenzie Lueck is Garfield County’s auditor, Nikki Smith is the county’s chief deputy auditor, and Judy Waldher is the deputy auditor.

You can contact the auditor’s office by phone at 509-843-1411.

The elections department is responsible for conducting federal, state, and local elections. The department also has to register voters, maintain the registration records, and provide voters’ information.

Garfield County Offices by Type