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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2010 ACS

Ruidoso Micro

Ruidoso, NM · 1 counties · 20,497 residents · 4,831.115 sq mi
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The short version

Ruidoso has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $43,750. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $166,600. With a median age of 49.4, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 49.4
US median: 37.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,497
+6%since 2000
from 19,411 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 4 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
49.4
+13%since 2000
from 43.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K14K17K19K22K1990201020202024Ruidoso
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,750
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,886 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,290
+26%since 2000
from $19,338 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
23.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade10.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services6%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction5%
US avg: 1.4%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Retail trade0.8%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$166,600
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $90,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$701
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $468 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
40.7%
−36.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
24.8% rent
Vacancy rate
49.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
27.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 31.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.8
+42%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic66.4%(13,600)
Black0.4%(74)
Hispanic / Latino29.8%(6,110)
Asian0.3%(67)
Other3.7%(754)
Diversity Score59.4%(12,171)
Diversity Score
59
+20%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 22.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
86.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 84.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.6 min
+12%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
67.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
16.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
11.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
15.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
30.1%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
7.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
15.0%
−33.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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
Places similar to Ruidoso
Head to head

Compare Ruidoso side by side

RUIDOSO VS
Raymondville
Income$54,180+24%
Home value$73,600−56%
Population19,971+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUIDOSO VS
Arkadelphia
Income$52,034+19%
Home value$155,000−7%
Population20,938+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUIDOSO VS
Elk City
Income$53,328+22%
Home value$143,500−14%
Population22,159+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUIDOSO VS
Magnolia
Income$55,334+26%
Home value$152,100−9%
Population21,894+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruidoso, NM?

Ruidoso, NM has about 20,497 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruidoso, NM?

The typical household in Ruidoso, NM earns about $43,750 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 $166,600, and the typical rent is about $701 a month.

How educated are people in Ruidoso, NM?

About 23.9% 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 12.9% 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 8,278 residents, a change of about 68 percent over that period.

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

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