Ruioso 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.