San Patricio in more recent times

In recent years, San Patricio has been home to notables such as Helen Hunt, author Paul Horgan, and artists such as Peter Hurd and Henrietta Wyeth. Peter Hurd grew up in Roswell and attended New Mexico Military Institude in Roswell. He built an adobe home on land he purchased in San Patricio, along the Rio Ruidoso. Hurd, now deceased, included a polo field and stables.

At one time, San Patricio was the largest voting precinct in Lincoln County. Because of the race track in nearby Ruidoso and a Casino located there, building sites and acreage in San Patricio are both in demand now (1999).

Galleries have located in San Patricio and there is a growing artist colony.