The burden of disease caused by NCDs is quickly growing in emerging nations, with substantial social, economic, and health repercussions. However, data on the prevalence of diabetes and related variables among adults aged 25–64 years in Ethiopia, particularly in drought-stricken areas, is limited. The goal of this study is to find out how common diabetes is and what variables contribute to it in the middle-aged population. From January to February 2020, a community-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken among adults aged 25–64 years in Humbo district, southern Ethiopia. 587 people were chosen using a multi-stage sampling process. Weight, height, and fasting blood glucose levels were all measured. To enter data into a computer, Epi Data version 3.1 was utilized, which was subsequently exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and statistical significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05. Diabetes was found in 5.9% of the research participants (95 percent CI: 3.8–7.8). Age 45–54 (AOR = 4.80, 1.25, 18.32), physical inactivity (AOR = 5.33, 1.37, 20.72), family history of diabetes mellitus (AOR = 6.34, 95 percent CI: 2.43, 16.55), and obesity (AOR = 3.26, 95 percent CI: 1.43, 7.42) were all significantly associated with diabetes, according to multivariable logistic regression. The findings demonstrated the need for implementing educational public policies to encourage population behavior changes in order to prevent and control diabetes.