Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico had a total population of 2,655, the 70th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $31,354, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Ruidoso Downs Quick Facts
How Ruidoso Downs Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,629 | 2,655 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $31,413 | $31,354 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $55,400 | $154,000 | +178.0% |
How Ruidoso Downs Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ruidoso Downs Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
Cities Similar to Ruidoso Downs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | $349,700 | 45.8% | 10.2% |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | N/A | 63.6% | 30.2% |
| Clayton | 2,753 | $34,500 | $110,500 | 13.8% | 20.5% |
| Jal | 2,364 | N/A | $97,600 | 19.0% | 32.0% |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | $104,400 | 3.7% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Ruidoso Downs is a small community located in New Mexico, within Lincoln County. The total population is 2,655. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruidoso Downs is 38.4 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruidoso Downs is $31,354. This is 51% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.5%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 3.4%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $154,000. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruidoso Downs is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.3%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico?
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico has a population of 2,655 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruidoso Downs, NM?
The median household income in Ruidoso Downs is $31,354, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruidoso Downs, NM?
The poverty rate in Ruidoso Downs is 40.5%. This means approximately 1,076 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico?
Ruidoso Downs's population is 41.3% White, 0.0% Black, 51.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruidoso Downs, NM?
The median home value in Ruidoso Downs is $154,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Ruidoso Downs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.