| Economic Overview Links to 61 Garfield County data sheets
For more information on Garfield County, please see Regional Economists and the Areas They Serve.
The Garfield County workforce is primarily in agriculture and government employment. Agriculture dominates not so much as a source of employment, but because grain-producing agriculture tends to need less people each year to get maximum results, and dominates in terms of income. According to the agricultural census done by the Department of Agriculture in 2007, Garfield County’s total value of agricultural products was over $26.4 million. In comparison, total wages in the county for 2007 were around $26.4 million. Government employment, on the other hand, makes up over 60.0 percent of total nonfarm employment. This is much higher than is typical for state, which would be closer to 20.0 percent for government employment.
Outlook
Population growth will continue to impact the job growth of industries such as agriculture, retail trade, government and the services-providing sector. With virtually no population growth, it is likely these industries growth rates will continue to follow suit, with little or no growth.
However, the aging population and the percentage of residents over the age of 60 will continue to impact employment in the health and social services sector. According to the Office of Financial Management (OFM), in 2008 about 23.1 percent of the county population was over the age of 65. This is one of the higher rates as a percentage in the population in the state of Washington, and even higher than is typically found in counties designated as ‘retirement’ destinations. For Garfield, this more likely reflects the average age of a farmer being 58.8 years old.
The lower Snake River energy project, which is currently going through permitting stages, is anticipated to add 800 turbines to Columbia and Garfield counties, with 440 of those turbines to be located in Garfield County. This project will impact construction, retail, and leisure and hospitality employment during the construction phase. In addition, it should add 70 or more permanent jobs to the communities as support staff and wind technicians. Construction should start in the spring of 2010. For more information go to: http://www.snakeriverwind.com/.
Industry Outlook and Projections
Construction employment should continue to benefit from wind farms being added to Columbia and Garfield counties. When construction employment decreases once the project is completed, new technician positions with the wind farms will remain in the area. These new jobs will bolster retail sales and total taxable sales for the county.
Industry projections indicate that Garfield County is expected to grow at a slower pace than the state. This is unchanged from the recent history of declining employment over the last five years. Historically, Garfield County has grown slower than average, and is projected to have an average annual growth rate of 0.5 percent through 2016 compared to 1.4 percent for the state of Washington.
- The short-term projection for nonfarm industry growth is for 0.0 percent through 2011, but 1.0 growth rate between 2011 and 2016.
- Construction employment is projected to grow faster than average
Occupational projections for Eastern Washington through 2011 are for 1.0 percent growth. Computer, mathematical, health care, construction, and social services occupations are projected to grow faster than average, while installation, maintenance, production, and agriculture occupations are expected to grow slower than average. | 
