Ruidoso is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 7,698 at the 2000 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, Ruidoso Downs racetrack, and slopes of Ski Apache, the Mescalero Apache Indian-owned ski resort on the 12,000-foot (3,700 m) mountain Sierra Blanca. 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 3rd fastest growing city in New Mexico. 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 (Spanish for "Noisy River"), 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 (23 cm) 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
Ruidoso is located at 33°20′29″N 105°39′58″W / 33.34139°N 105.66611°W / 33.34139; -105.66611 (33.341371, -105.666235). Elevation is 6,920 feet (2,110 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37.2 km²), of which, 14.3 square miles (37.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.63%) 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 (208.0/km²). There are 7,584 housing units at an average density of 204.9/km² (530.8/mi²). 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-11th 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 (one of 18 New Mexico branches) and an official Branch of ENMU (this status was granted in July 2005).
Notable residents
- Neil Patrick Harris, contemporary actor
- Cody Willard, finance program anchor, author, professor, investor
Transportation
Airports
- Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, located about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Ruidoso.
Major highways
- U.S. Route 70
- NM 37
- NM 48
Nearest cities and towns
- Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
- Alto, New Mexico
- Hollywood, New Mexico
- Cloudcroft, New Mexico
- Alamogordo, New Mexico
- Roswell, New Mexico
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
- El Paso, Texas
References
- ^ "Welcome to Ruidoso, New Mexico" . http://www.ruidoso.net/ .
- ^ "Ski Apache Ski Resort" . http://www.skiapache.com/ .
- ^ "Inn of the Mountain Gods" . http://www.innofthemountaingods.com .
- ^ "Upper Hondo Water Availability and Decision Support Model" . https://waterportal.sandia.gov/upperhondo/upperhondo .
- ^ Staff Writer (2008-07-27). "300 evacuated from flooding in Ruidoso, NM, area". Associated Press . http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i5BEUHOEnKgo0y3Ti8_OBvyMK-4QD926CGP80 . Retrieved 2008-07-27 .
- ^ Staff Writer (2008-07-27). "300 evacuated from flooding in Ruidoso, N.M., area". San Jose Mercury News . http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10014565 . Retrieved 2008-07-27 .
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