Garfield County, Washington Eviction Risk: Moderate

Garfield County, Washington scores 4.4/10 (Low risk), making it the least risky county in the state for landlords, ranked 39 of 39 Washington counties, where rank 1 represents the highest-risk location. All 38 other Washington counties carry higher eviction risk scores. With a county score range of 3.4 to 3.8 across just 2 incorporated cities, conditions here are consistently favorable, reflecting a small rural market with an average rent of $843 and a rent burden of 24.6%, both well below levels that typically strain landlord-tenant relationships.

The total population across the county sits at 1,425 and the renter share is a modest 23.3%. That limited renter pool means the landlord market is thin but also low-conflict. Investors should weigh the limited tenant demand against the genuine upside of operating in Washington's least contentious rental environment.

The cities inside Garfield County

Pomeroy is the county seat and its largest city, with a population of 1,354 and a risk score of 4.4/10. As the dominant rental market in the county, Pomeroy reflects the overall county character: rural, low-volume, and stable. Its score sits at the county high, though at 3.8 it remains firmly in the moderate tier statewide.

Pataha, with a population of just 71, posts the county's lowest score at 3.4/10. Rental activity here is negligible in scale, but for any landlord holding property in or near Pataha, that score signals the quietest operating conditions in the entire county. Risk is hyper-local even in a county this small, and the 0.4-point spread between the two cities is worth noting when evaluating specific acquisitions.

State-level laws that apply here

All landlords in Garfield County operate under Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, codified at RCW § 59.18. Notice requirements vary by cause: nonpayment of rent requires a 14-day notice under RCW 59.18.057, a curable material breach triggers a 10-day notice, and waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity can be addressed with a 3-day notice. No-cause terminations for tenancies under six months require 20 days, while just-cause no-fault situations such as owner move-in or substantial rehabilitation require 90 days. Washington eviction process timelines run 30 to 60 days for uncontested cases and 60 to 150 days for contested ones.

On costs, understanding Washington eviction costs is essential before acquiring any rental here. Court filing fees are $83, sheriff lockout fees range from $50 to $150, and attorney fees typically run $1,000 to $3,500, depending on case complexity. Washington state also requires just cause for termination, and statewide rent increases are capped at the greater of 7% plus CPI, with a maximum of 10%. Landlords must also give 48 hours notice before entry under RCW § 59.18.

With a poverty rate of 14.4% and a renter share of 23.3%, Garfield County's tenant base is small and relatively stable; review the city scores for Pomeroy and Pataha above to identify where operating conditions are strongest within this low-risk county.