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MICROPOLITAN AREA

Ruidoso Micro

Ruidoso, NM · 1 counties · 19,844 residents (2025 est.) · 4,831.115 sq mi
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#18Oldest by median ageof 92552.4
The short version

Ruidoso has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,303. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $233,200. With a median age of 52.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.4
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,224
+4%since 2000
from 19,411 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 4 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
52.4
+20%since 2000
from 43.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,844 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
11K14K17K19K22K1990201020202024Ruidoso
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,303
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,886 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,148
+92%since 2000
from $19,338 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.2%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.3%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.489
+17%since 2010
from 0.419 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade3.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services2.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing2.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction2.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$233,200
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $90,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$956
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $468 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
23.2% rent
Vacancy rate
44.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.9%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 31.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.4
+63%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ruidoso on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic70.9%(13,763)
Black0.2%(47)
Hispanic / Latino25.6%(4,975)
Asian0.2%(48)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.5%(9,612)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic60.2%(12,169)
Black0.8%(171)
Hispanic / Latino33%(6,664)
Asian0.5%(106)
Other5.5%(1,114)
Diversity Score65.8%(13,303)
Segregation Score16.2%(3,282)
Diversity Score
66
+33%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
16
−17%since 2020
from 20 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.2%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 22.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.7%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+35%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.8%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 58.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.6%
−26.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.2%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 20.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.6%
−73.5 ptssince 2013
from 83.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.7%
+20.0 ptssince 2017
from 64.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
82.1%
+5.4 ptssince 2016
from 76.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.5%
−5.8 ptssince 2016
from 21.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
In this metro

Principal cities

RuidosoCENTRAL7,580
What's inside

1 component county

Lincoln CountyCENTRAL19,844
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Ruidoso

Raymondville
Pop 19,971
Arkadelphia
Pop 20,938
Elk City
Pop 22,159
Magnolia
Pop 21,894
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Head to head

Compare Ruidoso side by side

RUIDOSO VS
Raymondville
Income$54,180+2%
Home value$73,600−68%
Population19,971+1%
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RUIDOSO VS
Arkadelphia
Income$52,034−2%
Home value$155,000−34%
Population20,938+6%
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RUIDOSO VS
Elk City
Income$53,328same
Home value$143,500−38%
Population22,159+12%
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RUIDOSO VS
Magnolia
Income$55,334+4%
Home value$152,100−35%
Population21,894+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruidoso, NM?

Ruidoso, NM has about 20,224 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruidoso, NM?

The typical household in Ruidoso, NM earns about $53,303 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ruidoso, NM expensive?

In Ruidoso, NM, the median home is worth about $233,200, and the typical rent is about $956 a month.

How educated are people in Ruidoso, NM?

About 32.2% of adults age 25 and over in Ruidoso, NM hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ruidoso, NM?

About 19.3% of people in Ruidoso, NM live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ruidoso, NM grown since 1990?

Yes, Ruidoso, NM has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,005 residents, a change of about 66 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →