[2] The county was organized in 1884; it was named for James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States.

[3] 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).

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

[4] As of the 2000 United States Census,[14] there were 1,902 people, 813 households, and 529 families in the county.

In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party nominee.