Garfield is 79 km south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Shire of Cardinia local government area. Garfield recorded a population of 1,786 at the 2016 Census.
The area was originally called Cannibal Creek, but was renamed to Garfield in memory of the U.S. President James A. Garfield.
The Post Office opened as Cannibal Creek on 1 May 1886 and was renamed Garfield in 1887.
Garfield has a primary school with approximately 490 students. There is a church at the top end of the schoolgrounds. Local businesses include a milk bar, and a newsagency
The town has an Australian Rules football team playing in the Ellinbank and District Football League. Garfield has an undulating golf course on Thirteen Mile Road run by the Garfield Golf Club.