Ruidoso is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to
the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 8,029 at the 2010 census.
The cities of Ruidoso Downs, Hollywood, Mescalero, and Alto are suburbs of
Ruidoso, and contribute to the Ruidoso Micropolitan Statistical Area's
population of 21,223. A mountain resort town, Ruidoso lies in
the rugged Sierra Blanca mountain range of southcentral New Mexico, where it
merges with the Sacramento Mountains to the south. Ruidoso is a rapidly growing
resort community due to the region's alpine scenery, the Ruidoso Downs
racetrack, and the slopes of Ski Apache, the Mescalero Apache Tribe-owned ski
resort on Sierra Blanca, a 12,000-foot mountain. The tribe also operates the
Inn of the Mountain Gods resort in the area, which includes a casino, hotel,
and golf course. Ruidoso is the largest community in Lincoln County, and serves
as the regional economic hub. Ruidoso has been experiencing explosive
growth. Currently, Ruidoso is the 4th fastest growing city in New Mexico,
after Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Las Cruces. Massive investment has poured
into the town from many developers. Major projects including large housing
subdivisions, condos, and retail establishments have altered the face of
the once "sleepy mountain community." As a result, the Village is contending with
serious questions about the adequacy of the local water supply and zoning
enforcement. Like many small communities that have been recently 'discovered',
there is an ongoing debate about how best to plan for additional growth.
In December 2006, 7% of eligible voters approved a $12.6 million bond issue to
finance the expansion and modernization of the local wastewater treatment plant
which was built in 1982. The plant is barely adequate to handle the existing
population, and does not meet current EPA standards.
The village received its name from the Rio Ruidoso, a small stream that weaves
through the city. Ruidoso flood of July 26–27, 2008
The town and the river was hit by devastating flash flooding from late at
night on July 26, 2008 through July 27, 2008. The remnant circulation of
Hurricane Dolly passed over the area and brought as much as 9 inches of rainfall.
Hundreds of tourists, campers and residents were evacuated and the storm
caused damage at the Ruidoso Downs racetrack. One person was killed in the
flooding, approximately 900 persons required rescue, approximately 500
structures were damaged, and initial damage estimates for Ruidoso were in the
range of $15– 20 million. Geography and climate
Ruidoso is located at 33°20′29″N 105°39′58″W. Elevation is 6,920 feet.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of
14.4 square miles, of which, 14.3 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles
of it is water. Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,698 people, 3,434 households, and
2,232 families residing in the village. The population density was 538.7 people
per square mile. There are 7,584 housing units at an average density of 530.8 per
square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 87.50% White, 0.29% African
American, 2.38% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.44%
from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any
race were 18.21% of the population. There were 3,434 households out of which
23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married
couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband
present, and 35.0% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of
individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the village the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 5.8%
from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were
65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females
there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1
males. The median income for a household in the
village was $37,107, and the median income for a family was $44,846. Males
had a median income of $30,452 versus $21,974 for females. The per capita
income for the village was $22,721. About 2.5% of families and 4.9% of the
population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18
and 5.8% of those age 65 or over. Education
All public schools operate under the Ruidoso Municipal School District.
= Public schools = Ruidoso Preschool: Preschool
Nob Hill Early Development Center: Kindergarten
Sierra Vista Primary School: 1st-2nd Grade
White Mountain Elementary School: 3rd-4th Grade
White Mountain Intermediate School: 5th-6th Grade
Ruidoso Middle School: 7th-8th Grade Ruidoso High School: 9th-12th Grade
Gavilan Canyon Alternative School: 4th-12th Grade
= Private schools = Sierra Blanca Christian Academy: All
ages Ruidoso Christian School: All ages
= Colleges = ENMU-Ruidoso Branch Community College.
The ENMU Ruidoso Campus is a two-year college or community college and an
official Branch of ENMU. Sports
The Ruidoso Osos were an independent professional baseball team in the Pecos
League during the 2011 season. The team is on hiatus for the 2012 season because
of low attendance with the addition of no lights, meaning games were played at
4:30 p.m., and the fact that alcohol could not be sold at White Mountain Park
because it was owned by Ruidoso Municipal Schools. In the 2013 season,
the team moved to Raton, New Mexico and were renamed the Raton Osos.
Notable residents Mary Ann Almager, world champion boxer
Neil Patrick Harris, contemporary actor Mike Runnels, Lieutenant Governor of New
Mexico Bram van der Stok, aka Dr. Bram "Bob"
Vanderstok, WWII flying ace and hero of "The Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III
Libraries and museums Ruidoso Public Library
Ruidoso River Museum Transportation
= Airports = Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, located
about 15 miles northeast of Ruidoso. = Major highways =
U.S. Route 70 NM 37
NM 48 Nearest cities and towns
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico Alto, New Mexico
Capitan, New Mexico Hollywood, New Mexico
Cloudcroft, New Mexico Alamogordo, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico Las Cruces, New Mexico
El Paso, Texas See also
Noisy Water Winery References
External links Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce
Ruidoso Tourism Office Ruidoso, New Mexico at DMOZ