Challis is the largest city in Custer County, Idaho, United States. It is the county seat and its population was 1,081 at the 2010 census. The 2020 census showed 902 residents, a 16.6% drop. And as of 2023, the population increased to 924.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code83226

Area code208

Living in Challis

Housing in Challis

$337K▲ 11.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Challis home is worth about $337,000, up 11.3% in a year, 30% below the Idaho typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Challis

—

Not graded

Challis has fewer than 1,000 residents. At that size one or two incidents swing the numbers so much that a grade wouldn't be fair, so we show the counts instead.

Violent2

Property5

Reported in 20257

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Challis

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Challis for work: only 18% work in town. The top destinations are Mackay (14%), Idaho Falls (9%) and Stanley (3%). Half commute less than 50 miles.

Mackay

14%

Idaho Falls

Stanley

Boise City

18%Work in townlive and work in Challis 50 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 414Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Challis →

Health in Challis

Compared with Idaho

3better than ID·9worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 20 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits all close Care 3▲ 4 close Mind 1▼ 4 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

78%More adults treating high blood pressureID 70.5% · better 86%More adults getting cholesterol checkedID 81.1% · better 9.1%More adults with heart diseaseID 6.2% · worse

Care nearby

Steele Memorial Medical CenterSalmon · 49 mi · ER · rural critical access

Challis Area Health CenterChallis · 0.4 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Challis · CMS · HRSAHealth in Challis →

Natural hazards in Challis

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 87% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🏔️ Avalanches🏚️ Earthquakes

0Does Challis flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 5 declared for Custer County

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Challis →

Climate in Challis

Full climate →

Challis has cold winters and warm summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 12°.

34° / 13°Winter

58° / 31°Spring

83° / 48°Summer

59° / 31°Fall

When is the first frost?Around Sep 25, with the last in spring around May 14.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Challis →

Schools in Challis

All Challis schools →

School Grade D

The public schools Challis’s kids attend trail 95% of Idaho’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictCHALLIS JOINT DISTRICTSchools2

Challis Elementary School D-Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 173 students Challis Jr./Sr. High School DHigh · Grades 7–12 · 136 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within ID. Ratings are from neighbors.