Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Columbus’ density of trails is 3.7 miles per square mile, where North Dakota’s towns sit at 0.7 and U.S. towns at 0.4. Columbus has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Columbus beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 225 in 1910, a peak of 672 in 1960, 139 in 2020. The archive holds 23 old photos and papers going back to 2008 and 2 maps from 1947 on.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Columbus, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Jul 30, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Columbus.
Flood insurance has paid one claim in Columbus since 1997. Compared with 88% of U.S. communities, expected storm and flood damage here is lower. 51% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from cold waves, followed by inland flooding at 24%. Federal aid has come to Columbus households in 3 declared disasters; the latest was in 2004.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Among 24 North Dakota towns, just one has a higher average commute than Columbus. The top destinations are Bowbells (11%), Lignite (6%) and Crosby (6%). Half of commuters travel less than 38 miles.
| Columbus | North Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 27 minutes | 16 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 9% | 9.8% | 9.6% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
The range runs from -2° on a January night to 80° on a July afternoon, with about 41 inches of snow a winter.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
The share of adults in Columbus who have been diagnosed with depression is 20%, against 21% in North Dakota’s towns and 23% across U.S. towns. 12% of adults have diabetes here. Of the 24 North Dakota towns we compare, none has a higher share of adults who had a checkup this year than Columbus. The town does better than the North Dakota average on 4 of 32 CDC measures and worse on 7.
| Columbus | North Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 15% | 17% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 38% | 31% | 35% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 22% | 16% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 29% | 33% |
| What stands out | Columbus | ND |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults without reliable transportation | 5.2% | 6.5% |
| Fewer binge drinkers | 17.8% | 21.3% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.6% | 8.2% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of Columbus; the nearest are
About 9 of every 100 Columbus residents are enrolled in college, about the same as North Dakota.
Where Columbus’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
City in North Dakota, United States
Columbus is a city in Burke County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 139 at the 2020 census. Columbus was founded in 1906. Both this town and nearby Larson were named for an early postmaster who served the area (Columbus Larson), making it possibly the only town so named that was not named for Christopher Columbus.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Columbus has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.