Ruidoso is a metro area of 20,224 people. The median age is 52.4, about 13 years above the US median. There are 4 people per square mile. 77% of homes are owner-occupied. The foreign-born share is 4%. The typical home is worth $233,200, having more than doubled since 2000.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $53,303, 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
Unique to this place
What stands out about Ruidoso
What changed most since 1990
Median age37.4 → 52.4(+15.0 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
White share70.5% → 60.2%(−10.3 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Population12,219 → 20,224(+66%)US over the same years: +35%
Among the 17 metro and micro areas based in New Mexico
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)9.7%(167)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)9.1%(158)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era57.3%(989)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.7%(82)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 1,727 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Ruidoso, decade by decade
Ruidoso population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
12,219
$46,775
$163,685
16.1%
53.3
2000
19,411
$61,729
$165,588
22.8%
53.8
2010
20,497
$62,937
$239,666
23.9%
58.7
2020
20,269
$54,468
$209,440
25.1%
65.7
2024
20,224
$53,303
$233,200
32.2%
65.8
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
