Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 22 min5:53 am – 8:14 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 57 min7:02 am – 4:58 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,191 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 40.11,443 householdsMedian household income $33,594Median home value $159,700Median rent $953 a month64% of homes owner-occupiedSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting2.6% unemployment rate55% of adults are in the labour force, 1,288 employedMain industries: education and health care 19%, professional and business services 18%, construction 16%Average commute 14 minutes64% drive alone, 27% car-poolSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages18% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher95% finished high school, 10% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 76%, Spanish 21%, other languages 2%, French or Haitian Creole 1%7% 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, 7 mi away
Nearby landmarksPothole Lakelake · 1.0 miSeeping Springs Lakeslake · under a mileBlanche Tankreservoir · 1.2 miFox Tankreservoir · 1.5 miGoat Mountainpeak · 3.2 miHightower Mountainpeak · 3.4 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsAll American Parkpark · 3.0 miLincoln National Forestnational forest · 5.6 mi · 1,095,645 acresSchool House Parkpark · 6.1 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes3 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.5 on 14 Nov 200439 mi away, near Tularosa, New MexicoMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 25 Oct 202233 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 home82% of households have a broadband subscription38% have cable, fibre or DSL39% rely on a mobile data plan alone9% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterRuidoso Downs Water Systemserves 2,146 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20212 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation6,522 ft1,988 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalLincoln County Medical Center5.5 miPost officeRuidoso Downs Post Office3.1 miTown hallRuidoso Downs City Hall3.2 miPoliceRuidoso Downs Police Department3.2 miFire stationRuidoso Downs Fire Department3.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeEastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso7.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRoswell Air Center Airport ROW58 miMajor airportEl Paso International Airport ELP117 miUS highwayUS 70under a mileCoachRuidoso Ruidoso Downs ShamrockGreyhound4.9 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 88346 ZIP area.
