Challis, ID: Local News, Events & Neighbors

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 →

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 →

Schools in Challis

All Challis schools →

D

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.