1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Garfield County is $791 a month against a median household income of $64,884, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Washington before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Garfield County
- Housing costs in Garfield County
- Labor force snapshot: Garfield County
- What stands out in Garfield County
- The $64,884 median and what sits around it
- Towns and communities in Garfield County
- Garfield County next to its neighbors
- What the numbers mean for Garfield County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Garfield County's medians
- Garfield County demographics against Washington
- Washington lender licensing
- A Garfield County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Garfield County
Garfield County is home to about 2,353 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 39th most populous of 39 county-level areas in Washington. Land area is 711 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 3 per square mile. Metro status: none; Garfield County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Pomeroy (1,354 people) heads the county's list of 2 Census places, 1 incorporated and 1 census-designated. Because Garfield County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Garfield County
Half of Garfield County renters pay more than $791 a month and half pay less; the Washington midpoint is $1,760. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $239,200, about 3.7 times the median household income. Homeowners 77%, renters 23%. The median home was built in 1957, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Garfield County | Washington | Compared with Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $791/mo | $1,760/mo | 55% lower |
| Median home value | $239,200 | $564,600 | 58% lower |
| Owners | 77% | 64% | +13.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 50% | -4.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 30% | +4.2 pts |
Because most Garfield County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Labor force snapshot: Garfield County
Education and health care (19%), retail trade (14%) and public administration (12%) lead Garfield County's job mix. Compared with Washington, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (12% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.3% in Garfield County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 22%; under 15 minutes: 35%. 0.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Garfield County | Difference from Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.4% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Public administration | 12.0% | +6.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.0% | +9.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | +2.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
What stands out in Garfield County
Where Garfield County lands at the extremes of Washington's county rankings:
- Median home value: $239,200 in Garfield County, the lowest of 39 in Washington. Lower values mean less equity to tap, so unsecured loans are the usual route.
- Population: 2,353 in Garfield County, the lowest of 39 in Washington. With few local branches, online lenders and statewide credit unions widen the choice.
- Few Washington counties match Garfield County on households without a vehicle: 0.0% here, 7.1% for the state, ranking the lowest of 39. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
The $64,884 median and what sits around it
At $64,884, the typical Garfield County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 34th of 39.
| Band | Garfield County | Compared with Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.0% | +9.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.8% | +13.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -12.6 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 12.0%, 2 points higher than the state's 9.9%. For a borrower in Garfield County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Towns and communities in Garfield County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Garfield County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,425 residents, leaving about 39% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pomeroy | city | 1,354 | $52,104 | $843 | 4 mi |
| Pataha | CDP | 71 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Garfield County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 20 to 47 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Walla Walla County, $74,202. Poorest: Whitman County, $55,406. Garfield County: $64,884. Some neighbors are in Idaho. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Garfield County resident follows Washington rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield County | - | $64,884 | $791/mo | 77% |
| Columbia County, WA | 20 mi | $71,810 | $985/mo | 78% |
| Asotin County, WA | 23 mi | $72,283 | $1,043/mo | 73% |
| Whitman County, WA | 33 mi | $55,406 | $1,049/mo | 47% |
| Nez Perce County, ID | 38 mi | $72,599 | $1,015/mo | 70% |
| Walla Walla County, WA | 47 mi | $74,202 | $1,218/mo | 65% |
| Latah County, ID | 47 mi | $65,424 | $929/mo | 59% |
What the numbers mean for Garfield County borrowers
A few patterns in the Garfield County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Car trouble. For Garfield County drivers (22% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 48, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Garfield County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
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: $5,407 gross per month ($64,884 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $791, takes 15% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,156 a month
- Under a 43% cap, $2,325 total minus rent leaves $1,534
Homeowners in Garfield County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Garfield County demographics against Washington
Degree holders: 32% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 4.3%, against 6.3% for Washington.
| Residents | Garfield County | Difference from Washington | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.8 | +9.5 yrs | +6.3 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.8% | -7.8 pts | +9.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 0.0% | -7.1 pts | -5.4 pts |
| Work from home | 16.8% | -3.0 pts | +8.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | -2.1 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | +2.1 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | -2.0 pts | -3.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.3% | +1.2 pts | +1.9 pts |
| Minutes to work | Garfield County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 15.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.1% |
| 60+ min | 12.9% |
Washington lender licensing
Consumer lenders serving Garfield County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Washington that is the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Garfield County residents can file with the CFPB.
A Garfield County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Garfield County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Garfield County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Washington license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Garfield County earn?
The median is $64,884; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Garfield County?
$791 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Should Garfield County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Garfield County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Garfield County?
By population: Pomeroy, Pataha. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does living in Garfield County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Garfield County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.