Ruidoso, New Mexico

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Coordinates: 33°20′29″N 105°39′58″W / 33.34139, -105.66611
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Nickname: Year Round Playground of the Southwest ^[1]

Country	United States
State	New Mexico
County	Lincoln
Government
- Mayor	Lonnie Ray Nunley
Area
- Total	14.0 sq mi (37.0 km²)
- Land	14.3 sq mi (37.0 km²)
- Water	0.63 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Elevation	6,920 ft (2,051 m)
Population (2005)
- Total	11,210
- Density	340/sq mi (143.6/km²)
Time zone	Mountain (UTC-7)
- Summer (DST)	DST (UTC-6)
ZIP codes	88345, 88355
Area code(s)	575
FIPS code	35-65210
GNIS feature ID	0923668
Website: Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce

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 and 11,210 in the 2005 census estimate. 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.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Education
4 Notable residents
5 Transportation
- 5.1 Airports
- 5.2 Major highways
6 Nearest cities
7 References
8 External links

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.^[2] The tribe also operates the Inn of the Mountain Gods resort in the area, which includes a casino, hotel, and golf course.^[3] 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 (in June 2006 the Village water department estimated that there were fewer than 120 days of water available) 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. [1] 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.

[edit] Geography

Ruidoso is located at 33°20′29″N, 105°39′58″W (33.341371, -105.666235)^[4]. 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.

[edit] Demographics

Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs

As of the census^[5] 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.

[edit] Education

All public schools operate under the Ruidoso Municipal School District.

[edit] 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: 6th-11th Grade

[edit] Private schools

Sierra Blanca Christian Academy: All ages
Ruidoso Christian School: All ages
Camp Sierra Blanca: Juvenile-Probational

[edit] 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).^[6]