1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Garfield County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $61,875. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Garfield County
- Paychecks and income spread in Garfield County
- Employment and commuting in Garfield County
- Housing costs in Garfield County
- Garfield County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Garfield County
- Debt-to-income at Garfield County's medians
- Who lives in Garfield County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Garfield County
- Lender oversight for Garfield County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Garfield County
With an estimated 5,219 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Garfield County ranks 25th of 29 in Utah for population. Spread over 5,180 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.0 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Garfield County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Panguitch, with about 1,701 residents, or 33% of the county. With so few households sampled, Garfield County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Paychecks and income spread in Garfield County
Garfield County households have a median income of $61,875 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 27th of 29 in Utah.
| Yearly household income | Garfield County | Gap to Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.2% | +17.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -14.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -7.5 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 9.8%, 1 point higher than the state's 8.5%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Garfield County median.
Employment and commuting in Garfield County
Arts, lodging and food service employs 32% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 22%. The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 32% locally and 8% for Utah. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.1% in Garfield County. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 1.0% of the total (4.1% statewide).
| Top industries | Garfield County share | +/- vs Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, lodging and food service | 31.9% | +23.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -4.6 pts |
| Public administration | 7.1% | +2.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.0% | +5.7 pts |
| Construction | 4.7% | -3.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Garfield County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Garfield County
Renters in Garfield County pay a median of $817 a month, 45% below the Utah figure of $1,496. By the Census definition, 26% of Garfield County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $318,100, or 5.1 years of median income. 70% of Garfield County households own their home and 30% rent.
| Cost | Garfield County | Utah figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $1,496/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $318,100 | $489,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.0% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 44% | 8% | n/a |
Garfield County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Garfield County's, from 39 to 92 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Garfield County; Kane County is highest at $77,092 and Piute County lowest at $48,393.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield County | - | $61,875 | $817/mo | 70% |
| Wayne County, UT | 39 mi | $76,607 | $884/mo | 79% |
| Kane County, UT | 43 mi | $77,092 | $1,072/mo | 80% |
| Piute County, UT | 51 mi | $48,393 | $950/mo | 95% |
| Sevier County, UT | 66 mi | $74,884 | $912/mo | 78% |
| Emery County, UT | 90 mi | $74,291 | $739/mo | 80% |
| San Juan County, UT | 92 mi | $64,481 | $867/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Garfield County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Garfield County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 4,299 people, so roughly 18% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $68,750 in Escalante to $76,750 in Panguitch. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panguitch | city | 1,701 | $76,750 | $843 | 54 mi |
| Escalante | city | 604 | $68,750 | $1,656 | 9 mi |
| Tropic | town | 582 | $72,031 | n/a | 37 mi |
| Henrieville | town | 391 | $49,375 | $550 | 35 mi |
| Boulder | town | 360 | $39,688 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Cannonville | town | 228 | n/a | n/a | 38 mi |
| Bryce Canyon City | town | 203 | n/a | n/a | 40 mi |
| Hatch | town | 165 | $83,750 | n/a | 55 mi |
| Antimony | town | 65 | $48,333 | n/a | 34 mi |
Debt-to-income at Garfield County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Garfield County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,156 gross per month ($61,875 / 12)
- Less median rent of $817, which is 16% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,039 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 43% cap, $2,217 total minus rent leaves $1,400
If your rent is above $817, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Garfield County, in numbers
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Garfield County | Utah | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 32.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.3% | 37.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.6% | 6.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.2% | 8.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.0% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 8.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Garfield County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 73.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 11.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Garfield County
Where the Garfield County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Lender oversight for Garfield County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Garfield County borrowers answers to the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Utah guide.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Garfield County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Utah borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Utah guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Garfield County earn?
The median is $61,875; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Garfield County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $817 against $1,496 statewide, and 26% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Garfield County?
By population: Panguitch, Escalante, Tropic, Henrieville, Boulder. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Are Garfield County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Garfield County check a lender's license?
With the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.