Garfield County, Nebraska Demographics 2026
Garfield County, Nebraska has a population of 1,718, the 78th most populous county in Nebraska. The median household income is $62,804 and the median home value is $176,600. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Garfield County Quick Facts
How Garfield County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,797 | 1,718 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $68,611 | $62,804 | -8.5% |
| Median home value | $144,900 | $176,600 | +21.9% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Garfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burwell | 848 | $51,250 | 13.0% | $164,400 |
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Population Overview
Garfield County is located in Nebraska with a total population of 1,718. It is the 78th most populous county out of 93 in Nebraska. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garfield County is 47.7 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 13.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Garfield County is $62,804. This is 18% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $176,600. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Garfield County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Garfield County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
29.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Garfield County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Nebraska and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Garfield County, Nebraska?
Garfield County has a population of 1,718, making it the 78th most populous county in Nebraska.
What is the median income in Garfield County?
The median household income in Garfield County is $62,804 with a poverty rate of 8.8%.
How many cities are in Garfield County, Nebraska?
Garfield County contains 1 Census-designated place.