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Economic Information
for the
Ruidoso Area Ruidoso is a thriving mountain resort
in the southern Sacramento Mountains of South Central New
Mexico. With a population just under 9,000, Ruidoso is the
largest of 17 municipalities in Lincoln County and is
located just two and one half hours north of El Paso and
three
hours south of Albuquerque. Lincoln County boasts a rich
history and at nearly 5000 square miles is the eighth
largest of 33 counties in the state.
Tourism is the engine that has driven Ruidoso’s economy for
years. The traditional tourist season of Memorial Day
through Labor Day now extends to more than 10 months each
year. Ruidoso, Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache
Reservation feature skiing, horseracing, golfing, hiking,
biking, fishing and dozens more activities for all interests
and abilities. Top-notch facilities in the area include: a
museum which is a Smithsonian Institute affiliate, the
nationally acclaimed Spencer Theater for the Performing
Arts, the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino, and the Inn of
the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino.
The following statistics reflect the vibrant economy which
Ruidoso enjoys.
Demographics:
During the height of the tourist season the population of
Ruidoso routinely swells to 25,000 and during special event
weekends may reach nearly 40,000. In terms of permanent,
full-time residents, 7698 people lived in Ruidoso in 2000,
and according to 2004 census projections, Ruidoso’s
population has grown to 8691. Female residents slightly
outnumbered male residents with 52.5% or 4045 females to
47.5% or 3653 males in 2000 with the median age for Ruidoso
residents of 46.2. There were a total of 3434 households in
2000 with an average household size of 2.2 and the average
family size of 2.72.
Ruidoso 2000 Demographic Profile
The population of Lincoln County was 20,727 as of 2004,
ranking 19th among New Mexico counties.
Population Estimates
Real Estate and Housing:
The real estate market in Lincoln County is extremely active
with nearly 700 closed listings in 2004 with a total value
of over $124M. This represents an 11% increase in closed
listings in just two years, as the 2002 total was 609. The
growth in real estate values during the same period is over
14%.
Housing statistics also indicate that Ruidoso and Lincoln
County is growing, with building permits averaging 145 per
year. As of 2000, there were a total of 7574 units in
Ruidoso with the median home value of $113, 900. The median
rent per unit in 2000 was $492 while the rental unit vacancy
rate was 19.6%. The home owner vacancy rate for the same
year was 4.6%.
Income:
Ruidoso’s median income as of 1999 was $37,107 while the
median family income was $44,876 and the per capita income
was $22,721.
The following link provides detailed personal income
information for all of
Lincoln County:
To view statistics for other communities within Lincoln
County, please follow the links below.
Ruidoso Downs 2000 Demographic Profile
Capitan 2000 Demographic Profile
Carrizozo 2000 Demographic Profile
Corona 2000 Demographic Profile
Lincoln County 2000 Demographic Profile
Mescalero 2000 Demographics
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