Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico has a total population of 2,629, the 70th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $31,413, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Ruidoso Downs city Quick Facts
How Ruidoso Downs city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ruidoso Downs city Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Cities Similar to Ruidoso Downs city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Park CDP | 2,699 | $25,433 | N/A | 60.2% | 40.9% |
| Bayard city | 2,370 | $33,269 | $118,100 | 22.4% | 31.6% |
| Clayton town | 2,680 | $40,192 | $111,500 | 13.6% | 26.5% |
| Milan village | 2,473 | $37,551 | $71,300 | 9.6% | 26.3% |
| Crownpoint CDP | 2,924 | $35,926 | $49,900 | 8.6% | 31.0% |
Population Overview
Ruidoso Downs city is a small community located in New Mexico. The total population is 2,629. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruidoso Downs city is 35.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruidoso Downs city is $31,413. This is 49% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 60% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $55,400. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Ruidoso Downs city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruidoso Downs city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 60.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.5%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico?
Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico has a population of 2,629 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruidoso Downs city, NM?
The median household income in Ruidoso Downs city is $31,413, which is 60% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ruidoso Downs city, NM?
The poverty rate in Ruidoso Downs city is 29.1%. This means approximately 766 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico?
Ruidoso Downs city's population is 35.5% White, 0.2% Black, 60.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruidoso Downs city, NM?
The median home value in Ruidoso Downs city is $55,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Ruidoso Downs city, New Mexico?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Ruidoso Downs city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.