Garfield County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 1,813. Its county seat is Burwell. The county was organized in 1884; it was named for James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Garfield County is represented by the prefix 83 (it had the 83rd-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

The North Loup River runs through the southwest corner of Garfield County.

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 571 square miles (1,480 km), of which 570 square miles (1,500 km) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km) (0.3%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

• Calamus Reservoir State Park (partial)
• Mirdan Canal State Wildlife Management Area

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,659		—
1900	2,127		28.2%
1910	3,417		60.6%
1920	3,496		2.3%
1930	3,207		−8.3%
1940	3,444		7.4%
1950	2,912		−15.4%
1960	2,699		−7.3%
1970	2,411		−10.7%
1980	2,363		−2.0%
1990	2,141		−9.4%
2000	1,902		−11.2%
2010	2,049		7.7%
2020	1,813		−11.5%
2022 (est.)	1,801		−0.7%
US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 2020 2022

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 1,902 people, 813 households, and 529 families in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km). There were 1,021 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km). The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 813 households, out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples living together, 3.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 32.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.88.

The county population contained 23.50% under the age of 18, 4.40% from 18 to 24, 20.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 24.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,407, and the median income for a family was $34,762. Males had a median income of $24,563 versus $16,146 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,368. About 9.70% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 18.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Burwell (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Darenn
• Deverre
• Erina
• Gables(Population of 16)

Politics

Garfield County voters are reliably Republican. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party nominee.

United States presidential election results for Garfield County, Nebraska

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	933	86.71%	133	12.36%	10	0.93%
2016	821	83.78%	121	12.35%	38	3.88%
2012	769	81.81%	149	15.85%	22	2.34%
2008	800	77.67%	212	20.58%	18	1.75%
2004	806	79.25%	196	19.27%	15	1.47%
2000	718	74.56%	202	20.98%	43	4.47%
1996	625	63.26%	249	25.20%	114	11.54%
1992	595	54.74%	221	20.33%	271	24.93%
1988	803	75.97%	234	22.14%	20	1.89%
1984	899	81.43%	196	17.75%	9	0.82%
1980	811	73.19%	238	21.48%	59	5.32%
1976	726	64.76%	343	30.60%	52	4.64%
1972	903	81.21%	209	18.79%	0	0.00%
1968	797	76.41%	183	17.55%	63	6.04%
1964	761	61.17%	483	38.83%	0	0.00%
1960	1,047	77.44%	305	22.56%	0	0.00%
1956	936	78.13%	262	21.87%	0	0.00%
1952	1,042	80.46%	253	19.54%	0	0.00%
1948	702	56.43%	542	43.57%	0	0.00%
1944	896	68.71%	408	31.29%	0	0.00%
1940	1,053	66.39%	533	33.61%	0	0.00%
1936	744	50.41%	697	47.22%	35	2.37%
1932	622	43.90%	775	54.69%	20	1.41%
1928	1,180	83.04%	235	16.54%	6	0.42%
1924	757	59.14%	251	19.61%	272	21.25%
1920	611	64.32%	252	26.53%	87	9.16%
1916	302	37.42%	426	52.79%	79	9.79%
1912	192	23.67%	234	28.85%	385	47.47%
1908	368	48.17%	363	47.51%	33	4.32%
1904	406	67.44%	84	13.95%	112	18.60%
1900	251	50.50%	235	47.28%	11	2.21%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Garfield County, Nebraska