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CITY

Ruidoso

New Mexico · 7,580 residents (2025 est.) · 16.132 sq mi
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The short version

Ruidoso has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,736. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $243,800. With a median age of 44.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 20.6% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,699
Unchangedsince 2000
from 7,698 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
477 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 477 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.8
−3%since 2000
from 46.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,580 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K7K8K10K1990201020202024Ruidoso
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,736
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,107 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,658
+57%since 2000
from $22,721 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.1%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.6%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.473
+7%since 2010
from 0.442 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services11.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade0.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$243,800
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $98,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$944
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $492 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.4%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.0% in 2000
31.6% rent
Vacancy rate
52.5%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 58.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.6
+75%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
28
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ruidoso on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.1%(6,010)
Black0.3%(22)
Hispanic / Latino18.2%(1,402)
Asian0.3%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.3%(3,028)
2024
White, non-Hispanic64.3%(4,949)
Black1.9%(145)
Hispanic / Latino29.2%(2,248)
Asian0.6%(46)
Other4%(311)
Diversity Score62.4%(4,807)
Diversity Score
62
+59%since 2000
from 39 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.4%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 28.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 88.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.2 min
+12%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.7%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.2%
−25.7 ptssince 2009
from 68.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.3%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2012
from 19.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.3%
−74.7 ptssince 2013
from 84.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.9%
+19.0 ptssince 2017
from 63.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
84.9%
+11.4 ptssince 2016
from 73.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
13.1%
−9.6 ptssince 2016
from 22.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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RUIDOSO VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruidoso, New Mexico?

Ruidoso, New Mexico has about 7,699 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruidoso, New Mexico?

The typical household in Ruidoso, New Mexico earns about $52,736 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ruidoso, New Mexico expensive?

In Ruidoso, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $243,800, and the typical rent is about $944 a month.

How educated are people in Ruidoso, New Mexico?

About 35.4% of adults age 25 and over in Ruidoso, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ruidoso, New Mexico?

About 20.6% of people in Ruidoso, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ruidoso, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Ruidoso, New Mexico has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,099 residents, a change of about 67 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →