Garfield County
WA · Pop. 2,326 · Rural County
Garfield County is a rural county in Washington, spanning 711 square miles with 2,326 residents at a density of 3.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, canola, hay. A median home price of $214,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 194-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F and average winter lows of 25.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Garfield County Public Hospital District is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 62% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 194-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Garfield County Public Hospital District, with an emergency room, is just 4.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, canola, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 62% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Garfield County, WA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $214k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 194 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.3"
- Broadband
- 62%
- Nearest hospital
- Garfield County Public Hospital District, 4.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Garfield County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Garfield County?
- Garfield County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 194-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F, and average winter lows of 25.2°F. The established crops are wheat, canola, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $214,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 62% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Garfield County Public Hospital District is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Washington Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Washington
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The closest counties to Garfield County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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