City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Ruidoso Downs, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ruidoso Downs - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,629
Residents
$31,413
Median income
$55,400
Median home
$999
Median rent (state)

Ruidoso Downs - the verdict

Nationally, Ruidoso Downs sits in the 3rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

3rd
percentile, household income
1st
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ruidoso Downs, NM

New Mexico's Ruidoso Downs is a small town, with 2,629 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Ruidoso Downs brings in $31,413 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.7%. Typical homes in Ruidoso Downs are valued around $55,400, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. About 10.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity).

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: the state registers 92.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $999 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $167 across New Mexico, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 79.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

2,629 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$31,413 /yr

Poverty 20.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Ruidoso Downs compare to other US cities?

Where Ruidoso Downs sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 1% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Ruidoso Downs's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Mexico, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

3rdIncome percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Ruidoso Downs's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$55,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ruidoso Downs $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ruidoso Downs, NM Ruidoso Downs, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ruidoso Downs, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ruidoso Downs, NM median $31,413/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ruidoso Downs, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ruidoso Downs, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,629
Median Income
$31,413
Median Home Value
$55,400
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
20.7%
Labor force participation
52.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.5%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,550 residents2,600 residents2,650 residents2,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,658 residents 2,588 residents ▼ -2.6%
Ruidoso Downs's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 2
2021 3
2022 0
2023 4
2024 3

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.9%
Carpool
8.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
0.0%
Other
9.4%

Based on 971 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ruidoso Downs sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$999/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Tularosa
2,584 people
Clayton
2,680 people
University Park
2,699 people
Chimayo
2,726 people
La Mesilla
2,531 people
West Hammond
2,519 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ruidoso Downs's 2,629 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Paia, HI
2,629 people
Jarrettsville, MD
2,629 people
Waverly, VA
2,629 people
Pembroke, GA
2,628 people
Montague, MI
2,630 people
Angola, NY
2,628 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ruidoso Downs's $31,413 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Collinsville, AL
$31,411 median income
Lattimer, PA
$31,427 median income
Kobuk, AK
$31,429 median income
Summerville, GA
$31,429 median income
Crab Orchard, KY
$31,397 median income
Natalbany, LA
$31,430 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ruidoso Downs, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ruidoso Downs, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 51.9% 13.4% 31.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 60.4% White 51.9% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.2% American Indian 2.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 13.4% Two or more races 31.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ruidoso Downs compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ruidoso Downs (this city) 2,629 $31,413
Tularosa 2,584 $45,147
Clayton 2,680 $40,192
University Park 2,699 $25,433
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ruidoso Downs, NM?

What is the population of Ruidoso Downs, NM? +

2,629 people live in Ruidoso Downs, NM according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ruidoso Downs, NM? +

Ruidoso Downs households earn a median of $31,413 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ruidoso Downs? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ruidoso Downs; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Ruidoso Downs, NM? +

Ruidoso Downs's median home value sits at $55,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.