Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.5% to 4.2% and total nonfarm employment increased by 1.5% over-the-year.
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 May 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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Garfield County total labor force, employment and unemployment increased from May 2024 to May 2025.
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The Garfield County labor force has 908 people as of May 2025, with an increase of 65 workers (7.7%) from May 2024. Employed workforce increased by 61 workers (7.5%) and unemployed workers increased by 47 workers (11.8%). About 38 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 4.2% in May 2025, which increased from 3.5% in April 2025 and 4.0% in May 2024.
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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Garfield County had total nonfarm employment of 690 jobs, a 10 job (1.5%) increase from May 2024. The private sector expanded by 10 jobs (5.9%), while government employment grew by 20 jobs (4.0%) year-over-year.
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Industries with growth include wholesale trade, which rose by 10 jobs (14.3%).
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Industries facing declines include retail trade, which dropped by 10 jobs (33.3%).
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Employment across other sectors—including construction, financial activities, private education and health services, and other services—remained stable with no year-over-year change.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Garfield County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 690 | 690 | 680 | 0 | 10 | 1.5% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 180 | 180 | 170 | 0 | 10 | 5.9% |
| Goods-producing | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 680 | 670 | 660 | 10 | 20 | 3.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 80 | 80 | 70 | 0 | 10 | 14.3% |
| - Retail trade | 20 | 30 | 30 | -10 | -10 | -33.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Other services | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 520 | 510 | 500 | 10 | 20 | 4.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.
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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