Posted February 2025
Summary
Garfield County's economy has shown remarkable resilience and growth over the last three years, buoyed by the pivotal roles of government services and agriculture. Employment figures have been on an upward trajectory, with job numbers rising from 645 in 2021 to 675 in 2023. Total payroll expanded from $34.2 million to $36.8 million during the same period. Concurrently, average annual wages have seen a steady increase from $53,012 to $56,000. The unemployment rate has maintained relative constancy, beginning at 4.5% in 2021, experiencing a minor uptick to 5.1% in 2022, and settling at 5.0% in 2023, indicating a robust job market resilient to economic shifts.
The agricultural sector of Garfield County has recently experienced a surge due to favorable weather and a heightened demand for local produce. The result was greater crop yields and farmer revenues.
The county has embarked on numerous infrastructure projects to enhance transportation and connectivity, promising the creation of additional jobs and further economic invigoration. These initiatives underscore Garfield County's proactive stance in cultivating a vigorous and evolving economic landscape.
Garfield County geographic overview
Garfield County is in the southeastern part of Washington. It is the least populous county in the state. The town of Pomeroy is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Garfield County’s population was 2,286 in the 2020 census. In 2022, the Census estimated the population at 2,363, which is 3.4% growth from the 2020 census.
The county covers 718 square miles, including 7.5 square miles of water. It features a mix of agricultural land and rolling prairie-like terrain.
Garfield County was created out of Columbia County in 1881 and was named after President James A. Garfield.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Garfield County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Garfield County employment situation for December 2024
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of December 2024, Garfield County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and small increase in unemployment.
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Garfield County has over 715 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -2.7% or -20 workers from December 2023. Employed workforce decreased by -3.6% or -25 workers from December 2023 to December 2024. Unemployed workers increased by 12.8% or 5 workers. About 44 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 6.2% in December 2024, which increased from 5.4% in November 2024 and unemployment rate increased from 5.3% in December 2023.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Garfield County
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As of December 2024, total nonfarm employment in Garfield County was 610 jobs. Total nonfarm employment decreased by -20 jobs or -3.2% in over-the-month changes and decreased by -20 jobs or -3.2% in over-the-year changes. Private sectors remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year with total 170 jobs.
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Goods producing sectors remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year.
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Service providing sectors total with 600 jobs and recorded a decreased of -20 jobs or -3.2% in over-the-month change and decreased by -20 jobs or -3.2% from December 2023 to December 2024. Trade, transportation, and utilities and information and financial activities remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year.
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Government services including public educational services decreased by -20 jobs or -4.3% in over-the-month change with total 440 jobs and decreased by -20 jobs or -4.3% in over-the-year change.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Garfield County
| NAICS Industry Title | Dec 2024 (Preliminary) | Nov 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2023 (Revised) | Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Nonfarm | 610 | 630 | 630 | -20 | -20 | -3.2% |
| Total Private | 170 | 170 | 170 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Goods Producing | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service Providing | 600 | 620 | 620 | -20 | -20 | -3.2% |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Information and Financial Activities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Government | 440 | 460 | 460 | -20 | -20 | -4.3% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Total covered employment in Garfield County
Average annual covered employment in Garfield County was 645. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Wages totaled $38.69 million with an average annual wage of $59,997.
The government sector was the dominant employer with 453 employees earning an average wage of $65,995. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting employed 32 individuals with an average wage of $33,183. Wholesale trade was another significant sector, employing 73 people with an average wage of $51,446. The smaller retail trade sector employed 21 individuals with an average wage of $26,767.
Several sectors, including mining, manufacturing, and various service industries, reported no employment or wages, indicating limited diversification in the county’s economic activities. Overall, Garfield County’s employment landscape is heavily reliant on government and agriculture.
Employment by industry, Garfield County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Top four sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (453)
- Wholesale trade (73)
- Agriculture (32)
- Retail trade (21)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Garfield County for all industries was $59,997 with $38.69 million in total payroll in 2023.
Top four sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Government ($65,995)
- Wholesale trade ($51,446)
- Agriculture ($33,183)
- Retail trade ($26,767)
Workforce demographics in Garfield County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 30-34 age group at 95.0%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 14.8%. Labor force participation rate for 20 to 64 years of age was 70.0%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (78.5%) compared to female workers (60.6%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 85.6%, while those with a high school diploma have the lowest at 51.7%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Garfield County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 2,008 | 48.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 182 | 39.0% | 0.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 74 | 64.9% | 0.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 63 | 58.7% | 17.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 100 | 95.0% | 5.2% |
| 35 to 44 years | 239 | 80.3% | 9.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 279 | 60.9% | 0.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 94 | 76.6% | 0.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 288 | 63.2% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 447 | 14.8% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 242 | 16.1% | 37.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 1,844 | 47.3% | 5.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 25 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 16 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 118 | 45.8% | 33.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 56 | 33.9% | 0.0% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 1,823 | 47.7% | 5.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 1,137 | 70.0% | 5.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 596 | 78.5% | 4.5% |
| Female | 541 | 60.6% | 6.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 213 | 64.8% | 7.2% |
| With own children under 6 only | 51 | 47.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 59 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 103 | 53.4% | 18.2% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 135 | 39.3% | 39.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 991 | 75.0% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 244 | 43.4% | 16.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 1,063 | 70.4% | 5.7% |
| Less than high school graduate | 89 | 51.7% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 228 | 63.2% | 14.6% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 469 | 68.4% | 6.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 277 | 85.6% | 0.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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