County · New Mexico
Lincoln County, New Mexico
Lincoln County, New Mexico. Lincoln County had 19,844 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.1% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 35027.
Lincoln County is the county of the Ruidoso, NM micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,844
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,269 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,224
Median household income
$53,303
±$2,293 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$233,200
±$22,920 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$956
±$68 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
How many people live in Lincoln County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,269 residents in Lincoln County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,844 for July 1, 2025, down 2.1% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,224 over 4,831 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lincoln County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,224 | 2,120,246 | +763 |
| Households | 10,000±514 | 837,414 | +2,434 |
| Average household size | 2.01±0.10 | 2.48 | −0.53 |
| Housing units | 17,871±27 | 956,964 | −285 |
Lincoln County's population since 2000
From 19,411 in 2000 to 19,844 in 2025: up 2.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Ruidoso with 7,580 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ruidoso | 7,679 | $52,736 |
|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,620 | $31,354 |
| Capitan | 1,391 | $52,864 |
| Carrizozo | 972 | $27,344 |
| CoronaGEOID 3517680 | 129 | not published |
| NogalGEOID 3552190 | 105 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lincoln County?
The median resident of Lincoln County is 52.4 years old; 16.7% are under 18 and 31.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 60.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 33.0%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lincoln County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.4±0.5 | 39.4 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 16.7%±0.3 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.3%±0.2 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 33.0% | 48.4% | −0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 60.2%±0.9 pts | 36.0% | −4.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±1.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±1.2 pts | 9.4% | −4.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.9%±2.7 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.2%±1.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 22.5%±2.4 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.6%±2.2 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±1.7 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.2%±3.4 pts | 31.0% | +6.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.5%±2.3 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.6%±1.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lincoln County earn?
Half of Lincoln County's 10,000 households earn less than $53,303 a year (±$2,293), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $56,878 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lincoln County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,303±$2,293 | $64,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,624±$5,020 | $88,155 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,148±$2,618 | $36,218 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.3%±3.4 pts | 17.8% | +8.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 32.6%±10.3 pts | 24.0% | +18.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.7%±2.7 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±2.9 pts | 86.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lincoln County?
Owners occupy 76.8% of Lincoln County's occupied homes and renters 23.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $233,200 by its owner (±$22,920). The median renter pays $956 a month including utilities, and 45.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lincoln County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $233,200±$22,920 | $248,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $956±$68 | $1,067 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.4%±10.5 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,481±$126 | $1,564 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.8%±3.9 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,871±27 | 956,964 | −285 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±1.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 15.5%±7.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.7%±3.2 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.4%±3.0 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.2%±0.9 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lincoln County building?
Builders took permits for 111 new housing units across Lincoln County in 2025 (111 single-family), 5.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lincoln County get to work?
71.0% of Lincoln County's workers drive alone and 11.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Lincoln County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.8%±2.6 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±2.3 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.0%±5.3 pts | 73.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.0%±3.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.1%±3.2 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.0 min±2.3 | 23.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Lincoln County's census tracts?
Lincoln County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,705 (Tract 9602) to $77,894 (Tract 9606.03).
| Tract 960235027960200 | 1,634±299 | $43,705 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960335027960300 | 3,104±436 | $53,193 |
| Tract 9604.0135027960401 | 2,009±472 | $45,184 |
| Tract 9604.0235027960402 | 1,267±271 | $57,404 |
| Tract 9604.0335027960403 | 4,173±599 | $55,682 |
| Tract 9606.0135027960601 | 1,778±354 | $51,875 |
| Tract 9606.0235027960602 | 2,209±477 | $44,869 |
| Tract 9606.0335027960603 | 2,025±361 | $77,894 |
| Tract 960835027960800 | 2,025±407 | $52,549 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lincoln County compare with New Mexico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 33 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 19th of 33 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd of 33 |
| Median household income | 17th of 32 |
| Median home value | 7th of 32 |
| Median gross rent | 12th of 31 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 33 |
| Median age | 5th of 33 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lincoln County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.