Ruidoso, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruidoso, New Mexico had a total population of 7,699, the 30th largest village in New Mexico, with a median household income of $52,736, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ruidoso Quick Facts
How Ruidoso 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 | 7,701 | 7,699 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $50,259 | $52,736 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $229,100 | $243,800 | +6.4% |
How Ruidoso 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ruidoso Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | 40.5% | $154,000 |
| Capitan | 1,191 | $52,864 | 14.4% | $111,700 |
| Carrizozo | 854 | $27,344 | 24.9% | $84,700 |
| Corona | 168 | N/A | 20.8% | $88,300 |
| Nogal | 80 | N/A | 12.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ruidoso
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | 7,395 | $48,472 | $161,200 | 14.9% | 25.7% |
| Belen | 7,450 | $42,627 | $166,100 | 13.6% | 31.2% |
| Shiprock | 7,610 | $35,900 | $104,400 | 11.6% | 34.6% |
| Grants | 8,951 | $47,183 | $136,500 | 19.3% | 34.1% |
| Taos | 6,458 | $47,304 | $445,900 | 39.0% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Ruidoso is a small city located in New Mexico, within Lincoln County. The total population is 7,699. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruidoso is 44.8 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 12.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruidoso is $52,736. This is 18% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 15% 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 3.3%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $243,800. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruidoso is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.3% vs 36.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% higher 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruidoso, 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, New Mexico?
Ruidoso, New Mexico has a population of 7,699 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruidoso, NM?
The median household income in Ruidoso is $52,736, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruidoso, NM?
The poverty rate in Ruidoso is 20.6%. This means approximately 1,581 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruidoso, New Mexico?
Ruidoso's population is 64.3% White, 1.9% Black, 29.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruidoso, NM?
The median home value in Ruidoso is $243,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Ruidoso, New Mexico?
35.4% of adults (25+) in Ruidoso hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.