Columbus, MS

Full City Profile · Mississippi · Lowndes County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
23,616 Population 942/sq mi density
$40,588 Median Income $28,006 per capita
$121,200 Home Value $179,537 Zillow
$882 Median Rent 31.5% income on rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$40,588 median income, 9.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,200 home value, $882/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Columbus enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.6 inches. The area receives 0.4 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average65.4°F
21% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Geography

Elevation181 ft (55 m)
Area22.9 sq mi (59.2 km²)
Population Density942/sq mi
Coordinates33.5082°N, 88.4071°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLowndes County County
Nearest AirportGolden Triangle Regional (GTR)
11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.6"
49% above US avg
Snowfall 0.4"
Wettest Month (Apr) 5.81"
Driest Month (Sep) 3.20"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score80.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability76.0 / 100
Community Resilience65.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

56 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.9 on Jun 25, 2020.

Aug 19, 2004 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama M3.6 138 km
Jun 30, 2015 12 km W of Union, Alabama M3.5 66 km
Jun 24, 1998 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama M3.4 120 km
May 28, 1995 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama M3.4 64 km
Apr 21, 2009 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama M3.4 143 km
May 9, 2004 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama M3.3 138 km
Jul 15, 1995 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama M3.3 69 km
Jun 23, 1990 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama M3.2 49 km
Sep 2, 1990 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama M3.2 52 km
Jun 28, 2008 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama M3.1 97 km
Jun 23, 1990 8 km N of Belk, Alabama M3.1 49 km
Mar 12, 2015 14 km W of Union, Alabama M3.1 68 km
May 10, 2008 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi M3.1 102 km
Feb 27, 2015 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama M3.1 69 km
Mar 20, 2004 11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama M3.0 139 km
May 4, 1994 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama M3.0 139 km
Sep 11, 1992 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama M3.0 92 km
May 28, 2000 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama M3.0 64 km
May 4, 1994 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama M3.0 137 km
May 21, 2002 7 km ESE of York, Alabama M3.0 118 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

4 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 1. Most recent: Zeta (2020, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2020 Zeta Category 1 239 km
2005 Katrina Category 1 202 km
2004 Ivan Category 1 244 km
1995 Opal Category 1 237 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

578 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 312 fatalities, 3,691 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011 EF5 60 km 23
Apr 27, 2011 EF5 71 km 72
Apr 8, 1998 EF5 99 km 32
Apr 3, 1974 EF5 44 km 28
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 69 km 64
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 36 km 13
Dec 16, 2000 EF4 83 km 11
Feb 23, 1977 EF4 94 km 2
Feb 23, 1975 EF4 89 km 1
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 33 km 3
Apr 29, 1963 EF4 74 km 3
Mar 24, 2023 EF3 50 km 2
Mar 25, 2021 EF3 100 km 0
Feb 23, 2019 EF3 4 km 1
Apr 28, 2014 EF3 89 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 87 km 4
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 73 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 65 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 72 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 57 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B (3,633 ac, 2016).

Year Name Acres Distance
2016 MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B 3,633 51 km
1988 UNNAMED 3,616 58 km
1990 UNNAMED 3,605 52 km
2002 UNNAMED 3,593 59 km
2005 UNNAMED 3,556 73 km
1987 10 NOVEMBER 3,301 51 km
2017 UNNAMED 3,053 57 km
2000 UNNAMED 2,893 99 km
2014 UNNAMED 2,887 69 km
2020 TOMBIGBEE COMP 54/55/56 2,846 57 km
2006 WITCHDCE W 2,846 69 km
2022 TOMBIGBEE BB 54 55 56 2,736 57 km
1995 16 2,482 50 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,393 52 km
1996 8 2,384 51 km
2015 UNNAMED 2,300 57 km
2007 WITCHDANCE EAST 2,285 67 km
1994 S BOUND 2,260 47 km
2021 TOMBIGBEE CPT - 18/19/23/24 2,201 68 km
2013 UNNAMED 2,162 70 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 46°F (8°C) 5.5 in Coldest
February 50°F (10°C) 5.7 in
March 58°F (14°C) 5.3 in
April 66°F (19°C) 5.8 in Wettest
May 73°F (23°C) 4.0 in
June 80°F (27°C) 4.4 in
July 83°F (28°C) 4.7 in Warmest
August 83°F (28°C) 4.5 in
September 77°F (25°C) 3.2 in Driest
October 66°F (19°C) 3.6 in
November 55°F (13°C) 4.4 in
December 48°F (9°C) 5.6 in

Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 46°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.6 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.8") and September the driest (3.2").

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