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Columbus, ND

Full City Profile · North Dakota · Burke County County

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
47 Population 174/sq mi density
$95,000 Median Income $83,249 per capita
$112,500 Home Value $255,872 Zillow
38°F Avg Temperature 200 sunny days/yr
300 Violent Crime/100K 2,402 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$95,000 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,500 home value, /mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
300 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Columbus has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 200 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average38.2°F
29% below US avg
January Average7°F (-14°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days200 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,932 ft (589 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density174/sq mi
Coordinates48.9050°N, 102.7812°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBurke County County
Nearest AirportWilliston Basin International (XWA)
63 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.80"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0483 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)3.4 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)1.51 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.3 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score1.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience58.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M3.3 on Sep 28, 2012.

Nov 11, 1998 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota M3.5 100 km
Sep 28, 2012 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota M3.3 104 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

108 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 4 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 5, 1955 EF4 62 km 0
Aug 12, 2010 EF3 45 km 1
Jul 6, 1977 EF3 96 km 0
Jul 11, 1974 EF3 64 km 0
Jun 14, 1950 EF3 72 km 0
Jul 23, 1997 EF2 91 km 1
Jun 5, 1976 EF2 58 km 0
Aug 5, 1969 EF2 37 km 0
Jun 14, 1962 EF2 70 km 0
Jun 13, 1953 EF2 93 km 0
Jul 6, 2024 EF1 85 km 0
Jul 8, 2009 EF1 14 km 0
Jul 8, 2009 EF1 72 km 0
Jun 11, 2007 EF1 65 km 0
Jul 18, 2003 EF1 38 km 0
Jul 19, 2001 EF1 51 km 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF1 98 km 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF1 60 km 0
Jul 2, 1990 EF1 62 km 0
Jun 26, 1990 EF1 81 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 ac, 2024).

Year Name Acres Distance
2024 WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE 67,150 67 km
2015 LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 6,837 37 km
2005 H RX 05 WILD 5,644 36 km
1986 WILDERNESS 5,615 36 km
1997 WILDERNESS 5,556 36 km
2005 CLEAR LAKE 5,040 64 km
2015 RIDGE ROAD 3,390 95 km
2024 CHARLSON 3,055 100 km
2005 LOSTWOOD NON-NFP 2,769 41 km
2021 13 MILE FIRE 2,585 93 km
2006 HB 35 2,164 52 km
2023 NDLWR-HFR-FY23-RX-ASPEN 2,074 41 km
2017 NDLWR FY17 RX CENTRAL CORE 1,899 40 km
2016 LWR WUI RX FESCUE 2016 1,802 43 km
1993 KRUSES 1,802 43 km
1990 KRUSES 1,619 43 km
1986 KRUSES 1,615 43 km
1996 KRUSES 1,516 44 km
2003 KRUSE 1,507 44 km
1987 TEAL 1,470 38 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 7°F (-14°C) 0.6 in Coldest
February 13°F (-10°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 25°F (-4°C) 0.7 in
April 40°F (5°C) 1.3 in
May 54°F (12°C) 2.2 in
June 63°F (17°C) 2.8 in Wettest
July 67°F (20°C) 2.6 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 1.9 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.7 in
October 43°F (6°C) 0.9 in
November 25°F (-4°C) 0.5 in
December 11°F (-12°C) 0.5 in

Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 7°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.4").

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