Columbus, MT

Full City Profile · Montana · Stillwater County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,925 Population 1,405/sq mi density
$62,500 Median Income $39,770 per capita
$264,000 Home Value $460,948 Zillow
$926 Median Rent 29.4% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature
261 Violent Crime/100K 1,928 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$62,500 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$264,000 home value, $926/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
261 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Columbus has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.5 inches. The area receives 47.6 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Geography

Elevation3,580 ft (1,091 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,405/sq mi
Coordinates45.6360°N, 109.2488°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyStillwater County County
Nearest AirportBillings Logan International (BIL)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"
59% below US avg
Snowfall 47.6"
Wettest Month (May) 2.82"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.62"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score16.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience56.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

119 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.8. Most recent: M2.7 on May 27, 2025.

Mar 30, 2014 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M4.8 148 km
May 11, 2022 36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana M4.2 121 km
Nov 24, 2000 24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M4.2 150 km
Mar 25, 2008 35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana M4.2 121 km
Nov 6, 1997 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana M4.0 144 km
Jan 30, 2023 9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana M3.8 105 km
Jan 9, 2003 23 km E of Wilsall, Montana M3.7 96 km
Sep 24, 1994 39 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.7 145 km
Mar 30, 2014 21 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.7 150 km
Jul 6, 2021 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana M3.6 142 km
Jul 20, 1992 52 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.6 147 km
Mar 30, 2014 Wyoming M3.6 148 km
Jul 20, 1992 51 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.5 147 km
Jan 2, 2009 54 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.5 149 km
Nov 13, 1997 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana M3.4 144 km
Jan 12, 2014 23 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.4 136 km
Mar 30, 2014 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.4 148 km
Mar 30, 2014 20 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.4 148 km
Mar 4, 2019 35 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana M3.3 124 km
Jan 9, 2009 42 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana M3.3 133 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

31 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965 EF3 61 km 0
Jun 20, 2010 EF2 63 km 0
Jun 16, 2010 EF2 67 km 0
Jul 20, 1964 EF2 95 km 0
Jul 2, 1958 EF2 62 km 0
Jun 21, 1991 EF1 55 km 0
May 24, 1990 EF1 73 km 0
May 24, 1990 EF1 75 km 0
Aug 22, 1965 EF1 61 km 0
Aug 12, 1958 EF1 36 km 0
Jul 6, 1955 EF1 78 km 0
Jun 6, 2011 EF0 71 km 0
Jun 6, 2011 EF0 40 km 0
Sep 9, 2010 EF0 89 km 0
Aug 11, 2005 EF0 30 km 0
Aug 26, 2004 EF0 91 km 0
Jul 26, 2003 EF0 84 km 0
Jul 4, 1998 EF0 61 km 0
Jul 20, 1997 EF0 38 km 0
Jul 14, 1993 EF0 84 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (175 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Yellowstone Caldera(s) 2,805 m (9,203 ft) -1350 175 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DERBY (200,993 ac, 2006).

Year Name Acres Distance
2006 DERBY 200,993 44 km
1988 STORM CREEK 116,027 81 km
2003 HOBBLE 38,365 39 km
2021 ROBERTSON DRAW 31,132 62 km
2006 JUNGLE 23,846 85 km
2012 DAHL 21,448 89 km
1996 SHEPARD MTN 17,379 54 km
1994 BLACK BUTTE 10,231 54 km
2008 CASCADE 10,017 56 km
2010 STUMP GULCH 8,873 10 km
2021 TROUT CREEK 7,804 35 km
2012 PINE CREEK 7,707 99 km
2011 HOLE IN THE WALL 6,559 71 km
2003 DEEP LAKE 5,466 82 km
2002 COW CREEK 5,162 15 km
2002 RED WAFFLE 5,060 87 km
1991 ROBERTSON 4,812 69 km
2000 PEASE 4,361 76 km
2021 CROOKED CREEK 4,295 84 km
2006 EMERALD HILLS 4,191 73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.7 in
March 36°F (2°C) 0.9 in
April 43°F (6°C) 2.0 in
May 52°F (11°C) 2.8 in Wettest
June 60°F (16°C) 2.3 in
July 68°F (20°C) 1.2 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.4 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.5 in
November 33°F (0°C) 0.7 in
December 24°F (-5°C) 0.7 in

Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 23°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.6").

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