Challis, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Challis, Idaho had a total population of 854, the 114th largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $40,750, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Challis Quick Facts
How Challis Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 794 | 854 | +7.6% |
| Median household income | $50,034 | $40,750 | -18.6% |
| Median home value | $168,300 | $176,400 | +4.8% |
How Challis Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Challis Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Custer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackay | 602 | $43,897 | 19.9% | $279,500 |
| Stanley | 319 | N/A | 21.3% | N/A |
| Lost River | 55 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Challis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arco | 850 | $37,644 | $192,000 | 23.9% | 31.9% |
| Council | 871 | $50,208 | $201,300 | 13.9% | 16.2% |
| Downey | 803 | $56,667 | $173,800 | 23.3% | 16.2% |
| Kooskia | 687 | $45,938 | $189,300 | 5.6% | 9.6% |
| Teton | 877 | $67,321 | $249,300 | 16.8% | 16.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 854, Challis's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Challis is a small community located in Idaho, within Custer County. The total population is 854. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Challis is 48.4 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 37.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Challis is $40,750. This is 48% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $176,400. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Challis is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.3%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Challis, Idaho is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Idaho state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 232 Census-designated places in Idaho. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Challis, Idaho?
Challis, Idaho has a population of 854 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Challis, ID?
The median household income in Challis is $40,750, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Challis, ID?
The poverty rate in Challis is 21.3%. This means approximately 178 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Challis, Idaho?
Challis's population is 81.8% White, 0.0% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Challis, ID?
The median home value in Challis is $176,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Challis, Idaho?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Challis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.