Garfield County, Washington

Garfield County Education, Geography, and History

Garfield County is a county located in the state of Washington. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 2,266, making it the least populous county in Washington; with about 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km²), it is also Washington's least densely populated county. The county seat and only city is Pomeroy.

Etymology - Origin of Garfield County Name

James Abram Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States, who had been assassinated in September, 1881

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Garfield County History

Garfield County was created out of a large piece of Columbia County on November 29, 1881 Roughly half of the county was split off to form Asotin County in 1883, and was named for the late US President James A. Garfield, who had been assassinated in September, 1881 Garfield County, located in southeastern Washington, had a population in 2000 of 2,397, making it the least populated of Washington's 39 counties. Its largest town (and county seat), Pomeroy, recorded a population of 1,517 in the 2000 Census.

Economic

Garfield County is located in the Southeast corner of Washington State, bordered on the north by the Snake River and on the South by the Blue Mountains, between Columbia and Asotin Counties. Historically an agricultural region, Garfield County's business economy is based largely in service, retail and small production. The county supports one port district, the Port of Garfield, and is serviced by overland transportation along US Highway 12, with connections to major interstates. Friendly customer service, quality K-12 education, local health services, and year-round recreation add to the rural charm of this neighborly community, creating a safe and inviting environment for families and businesses.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km²), of which, 711 square miles (1,840 km²) of it is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) of it (1.06%) is water. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Agriculture has long dominated Garfield County's economy with farms occupying two-thirds of the land in the county. Wheat has long been the dominant crop, though other grains such as barley also are grown. At 710.5 square miles, Garfield County is the seventh-smallest county in the state. It is bordered by Columbia County to the west, Asotin County to the east, and the Snake River to the north, with the Snake River Canyon in places descending well over 1,000 feet to the river. The Oregon state line marks Garfield County's southern border. The northern part of the county is a fertile plain; farther south elevations rise to the Blue Mountains near the Oregon state line.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Whitman County, Washington - north
• Asotin County, Washington - east
• Wallowa County, Oregon - south
• Columbia County, Washington - west

Education

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