Total enrollment
2,601
+43 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Lincoln County
New Mexico · Public K-12
Lincoln County runs 14 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 186 students. By level, that breaks down as 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
4-year change in Lincoln County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
14
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Lincoln County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In New Mexico | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,601 | #21 of 26 | #1,973 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 14 | #19 of 26 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.7:1 | #5 of 25 | #448 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 84.7% | #22 of 26 | #423 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 60.7% | #4 of 26 | #525 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Lincoln County school rankings
Residents
20,224
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
14
5 districts
Enrollment
2,601
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$53,303
Below New Mexico avg
Free/reduced lunch
84.7%
Below New Mexico avg
Elementary
6
1,307 students
Middle
3
500 students
High
5
794 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
RUIDOSO
1,788 students · 5 districts in Lincoln County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Lincoln County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
32.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.1%
civilian labor
Median age
52
16.7% under 18
Test scores in Lincoln County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. New Mexico state average: 44.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- CAPITAN ELEMENTARY· 57.1%
- CARRIZOZO ELEMENTARY· 54.6%
- CAPITAN MIDDLE· 52.1%
- RUIDOSO MIDDLE· 50.6%
- WHITE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY· 40.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- HONDO ELEMENTARY· 32.4%
- WHITE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY· 40.9%
- RUIDOSO MIDDLE· 50.6%
- CAPITAN MIDDLE· 52.1%
- CARRIZOZO ELEMENTARY· 54.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUIDOSO HIGH | Ruidoso | High | 09-12 | 527 | · |
| SIERRA VISTA PRIMARY | Ruidoso | Elementary | PK-02 | 514 | · |
| WHITE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY | Ruidoso | Elementary | 03-05 | 374 | · |
| RUIDOSO MIDDLE | Ruidoso | Middle | 06-08 | 373 | · |
| CAPITAN ELEMENTARY | Capitan | Elementary | PK-05 | 207 | · |
| CAPITAN HIGH | Capitan | High | 09-12 | 134 | · |
| CAPITAN MIDDLE | Capitan | Middle | 06-08 | 102 | · |
| HONDO ELEMENTARY | Hondo | Elementary | PK-06 | 78 | · |
| CARRIZOZO ELEMENTARY | Carrizozo | Elementary | KG-05 | 72 | · |
| CORONA ELEMENTARY | Corona | Elementary | PK-06 | 62 | · |
| CARRIZOZO HIGH | Carrizozo | High | 09-12 | 47 | · |
| HONDO HIGH | Hondo | High | 07-12 | 46 | · |
| CORONA HIGH | Corona | High | 07-12 | 40 | · |
| CARRIZOZO MIDDLE | Carrizozo | Middle | 06-08 | 25 | · |
Cities in Lincoln County
About Lincoln County
Lincoln County is a small New Mexico county of about 20,224 residents, home to 14 public schools and roughly 2,601 students.
Zooming out, census numbers show median household income runs near $53,303, 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 14%. That income level is 7% below the New Mexico median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Lincoln County covers 6 elementary schools (1,307 students), 3 middle schools (500), and 5 high schools (794).
The largest single district in Lincoln County is RUIDOSO, which alone enrolls about 1,788 students.
Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Lincoln County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 2,558 students to 2,601.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Lincoln County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data