Checked
Columbus, NM
Village in Luna County, New Mexico.
Population
1,196
Land area
4.7sq mi
People per sq mi
256
ZIP codes
0
Columbus and its ZIP codes
Columbus at a glance
- Columbus is about 15 times as dense as New Mexico as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $26,090 a year, 59% less than the New Mexico figure of $64,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $105,600 (57% below New Mexico) and median rent is $414 a month.
Local data for Columbus, NM
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Columbus, NM, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$26,090
Poverty rate
22.7%
Median home value
$105,600
Median rent
$414/mo
Homeownership
54.4%
Bachelor's or higher
8.2%
Median age
43.4
Average commute
37.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (919), Irish Americans (13), German Americans (8).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Luna County. PPP loans are for Columbus.
Unemployment rate
11.4%
Aug 2026, +1.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,983
8,099 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$40,780
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$159M
FY 2026, $6,243 per person
How people get to work
Columbus, NM, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.4%
- Carpooled11.4%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home11.2%
Average one-way commute: 37.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Columbus, NM, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
418
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
23
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
96° / 31°F
10.3 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Columbus, NM, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.1%
U.S. 33.3% +2.8 pts
Diabetes
19.6%
U.S. 12.1% +7.5 pts
Smoking
14.0%
U.S. 12.8% +1.2 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
27.6%
U.S. 11.1% +16.5 pts
Cities near Columbus
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| City of the SunCensus-designated place | 2.3 mi | 0.3 |
| SunshineCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 17.6 |
| La HaciendaCensus-designated place | 27 mi | 1.4 |
| Pulpotio BareasCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 0.5 |
| Mountain ViewCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 0.3 |
| VenturaCensus-designated place | 30 mi | 5.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Columbus, NM in?
- Columbus is in Luna County, New Mexico.
- What is the population of Columbus, NM?
- About 1,196 people live in Columbus, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Columbus?
- Nearby places include City of the Sun (2.3 mi), Sunshine (23 mi), La Hacienda (27 mi), Pulpotio Bareas (29 mi), Mountain View (29 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023