RANK #146 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 15 OK · POP 62,146
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
Enid, the county seat of Garfield County, Oklahoma, is known as the "Wheat Capital of Oklahoma" due to its significant agricultural output and large grain storage capacity, including one of the world's largest grain elevators. Located in north-central Oklahoma, Garfield County is approximately 85 miles north of Oklahoma City, a commute that takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes by car. The community offers a blend of small-town charm with amenities found in larger cities. The county is characterized by its position within the Red Bed Plains, with several creeks like Black Bear and Skeleton Creek running through it.
Life in Garfield County often appeals to families and young professionals, with a high rate of homeownership and public schools generally performing above the state average. The average commute time for residents is around 17.6 minutes. The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, particularly wheat production and livestock, alongside contributions from the oil and natural gas sectors. Vance Air Force Base also serves as a major employer, bringing a steady influx of personnel to the area.
Garfield County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.0% YoY, population -0.3%, wages +3.1%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 8.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Skeleton Creek Solar and Battery Storage Project
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
|
$450M | Under Construction |
|
Thunder Ranch Wind Farm
Enel Green Power North America
|
$435M | Operating |
|
King Plains Wind Project
Undisclosed (NextEra Energy operates other projects in the county)
|
$248M | Operating |
|
Armadillo Flats Wind Project
Armadillo Flats Wind Project, LLC (Operated by NextEra Energy Resources)
|
$247M | Operating |
|
Garfield Battery/Storage
Undisclosed
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Breckinridge Wind Project LLC
NextEra Energy Resources Breckinridge
|
$99M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Garfield County ranks #146 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 85/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $66,182 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Garfield County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $160,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $919/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Garfield County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +4.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.66% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Garfield County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.