Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 22 min5:53 am – 8:15 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 56 min7:02 am – 4:58 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,287 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 59.71,502 householdsMedian household income $80,345Median home value $304,100Median rent $1,328 a month95% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,551 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting10.3% unemployment rate50% of adults are in the labour force, 1,340 employedMain industries: education and health care 30%, hospitality, food and recreation 15%, manufacturing 12%Average commute 31 minutes56% drive alone, 30% car-pool, 13% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages44% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher96% finished high school, 23% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 84%, Spanish 9%, other languages 4%, other Asian or Pacific languages 3%2% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month June: highs 82°F, lows 47°FColdest month December: highs 48°F, lows 22°F22 in of rain a year, on about 53 dayswettest month July26 in of snow a year, on about 12 days6 days above 90°F, 156 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Ruidoso station, 5 mi away
Parks and public landsEagle Creek Parkpark · 3.2 miLinks at Sierra Blancapark · 5.0 mi · 166 acresLincoln National Forestnational forest · 12.9 mi · 1,095,645 acresWhite Sands National Parknational park · 51.4 mi · 148,226 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes7 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.5 on 14 Nov 200434 mi away, near Tularosa, New MexicoMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 25 Oct 202234 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowLincoln County, NM, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsWildfire Relatively HighWinter weather Relatively HighLightning Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality68% of days had good air in 2025110 of 161 days measured50 moderate, 1 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 44, worst day 108main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Lincoln County monitors, NM
Internet at home97% of households have a broadband subscription70% have cable, fibre or DSL9% rely on a mobile data plan alone2% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterAlto Lakes Water and Sanitation Districtserves 2,870 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation7,321 ft2,231 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalLincoln County Medical Center7.6 miPost officeAlto Post Office2.5 miTown hallRuidoso Village Hall5.7 miPoliceNew Mexico State Police District 8 Ruidoso Office5.2 miFire stationBonito Volunteer Fire Department - Copper Canyon Stationunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeEastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso6.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRoswell Air Center Airport ROW65 miMajor airportEl Paso International Airport ELP120 miUS highwayUS 707.2 miCoachRuidoso Ruidoso Downs ShamrockGreyhound7.4 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 88312 ZIP area.
