Columbus, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, New Mexico had a total population of 1,196, the 140th largest village in New Mexico, with a median household income of $26,090, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Columbus Quick Facts
How Columbus Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,147 | 1,196 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $24,554 | $26,090 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $91,400 | $105,600 | +15.5% |
How Columbus Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Luna County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deming | 15,221 | $34,165 | 30.9% | $127,400 |
| Keeler Farm | 1,376 | $43,750 | 50.4% | $143,800 |
| La Hacienda | 640 | $30,541 | 51.7% | $113,900 |
| Ventura | 603 | $30,867 | 42.1% | $116,900 |
| Pecan Park | 575 | $103,310 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sunshine | 524 | $45,076 | 6.5% | $181,200 |
| Pulpotio Bareas | 221 | $57,917 | 12.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Columbus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | N/A | 7.5% | 3.4% |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | $210,100 | 11.6% | 27.5% |
| El Rito | 1,102 | N/A | $332,300 | 13.4% | 54.4% |
| Isleta | 1,043 | N/A | $159,000 | 13.7% | 10.6% |
| Polvadera | 1,033 | $27,158 | $123,700 | 7.8% | 88.7% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a small community located in New Mexico, within Luna County. The total population is 1,196. It ranks as the 140th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 43.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $26,090. This is 59% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $105,600. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 54.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Columbus has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.0% vs 48.4%).
Education
8.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 46.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus, New Mexico?
Columbus, New Mexico has a population of 1,196 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, NM?
The median household income in Columbus is $26,090, which is 68% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, NM?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 22.7%. This means approximately 272 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, New Mexico?
Columbus's population is 8.0% White, 0.0% Black, 92.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, NM?
The median home value in Columbus is $105,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Columbus, New Mexico?
8.2% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.