Tatum New Mexico Map

About Tatum, New Mexico

Tatum is a locality in Lea County, New Mexico, United States. It is a small community with a population of 598. The population density is 179.3 people per km². Tatum is located at 33.2571°N, 103.3177°W. It observes the Mountain Time (America/Denver) timezone. ZIP code: 88267.

Tatum rests on the high plains, a sprawl of ochre earth and wide, indifferent sky. It lies 39.7 miles north-north-west of Hobbs, NM (from Hobbs, NM: bearing 345°T), and is situated 21.7 miles north of Lovington. The land here is a study in subtle shifts of color, from the pale dust that coats everything to the deeper rusts and browns of the sparse, hardy grasses that cling to the low swells of terrain. The wind, a constant companion, shapes the very air, carrying the scent of dry earth and distant, unseen livestock. During the long summer afternoons, the heat presses down, a palpable weight that makes the distant horizon shimmer, blurring the edges of the world. Evenings bring a softening, a mellowing of the fierce light, as the sun bleeds across the western sky in hues of rose and pale gold, a quiet benediction on the stoic landscape. The history of Tatum is etched not in grand monuments, but in the enduring spirit of those who tamed this arid expanse. Oil and ranching form the bedrock of its economy, a testament to the resilience of those who coaxed a living from the challenging soil. The rhythm of life in Tatum is dictated by the sun and the seasons, a steady, unhurried cadence that has persisted through generations. You might see the glint of a pickup truck on a dusty road, or the distant silhouette of cattle against the vast canvas of the plains, each a small, vital part of the enduring character of this corner of Lea County. The local cafe, a hub of hushed conversations and the clatter of mugs, offers a glimpse into the unpretentious heart of Tatum.

About This Tatum Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Tatum, New Mexico — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 33.257057, -103.317728. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Tatum and Lea County.

Detailed location data for Tatum includes the ZIP code (88267), telephone area code (575), county seat of Lea County (Lovington), and school district assignment (Tatum Municipal Schools). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Tatum is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.