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Challis, ID
City in Custer County, Idaho.
Population
854
Land area
2sq mi
People per sq mi
433
ZIP codes
0
Challis and its ZIP codes
Challis at a glance
- Challis is about 18 times as dense as Idaho as a whole.
- The median household income is $40,750, 48% below the Idaho median of $77,800.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $176,400 (58% below Idaho) and median rent is $539 a month.
Local data for Challis, ID
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Challis, ID, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$40,750
Poverty rate
21.3%
Median home value
$176,400
Median rent
$539/mo
Homeownership
59.2%
Bachelor's or higher
18.4%
Median age
48.4
Average commute
12.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (132), Irish Americans (107), Mexican Americans (56).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Custer County. PPP loans are for Challis.
Unemployment rate
3.3%
Aug 2026, -0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$49,724
1,601 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$57,363
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$47.9M
FY 2026, $11,205 per person
How people get to work
Challis, ID, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone37.1%
- Carpooled39.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked3.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home20.4%
Average one-way commute: 12.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Challis, ID, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
334
Countywide, mostly heavy snow
Flood insurance policies
17
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 11°F
6.9 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone23 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Challis, ID, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
32.1%
U.S. 33.3% -1.2 pts
Diabetes
13.6%
U.S. 12.1% +1.5 pts
Smoking
13.1%
U.S. 12.8% about the same
Uninsured (18-64)
8.9%
U.S. 11.1% -2.2 pts
Cities near Challis
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ClaytonCity | 19 mi | 0.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Challis, ID in?
- Challis is in Custer County, Idaho.
- What is the population of Challis, ID?
- About 854 people live in Challis, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Challis?
- Nearby places include Clayton (19 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023