Custer County, Idaho Demographics 2026
Custer County, Idaho has a population of 4,470, the 40th most populous county in Idaho. The median household income is $67,574 and the median home value is $381,700. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Custer County Quick Facts
How Custer County 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 | 4,411 | 4,470 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $56,957 | $67,574 | +18.6% |
| Median home value | $295,600 | $381,700 | +29.1% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Custer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Challis | 854 | $40,750 | 21.3% | $176,400 |
| 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 |
Explore Idaho Rankings
Population Overview
Custer County is located in Idaho with a total population of 4,470. It is the 40th most populous county out of 44 in Idaho. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Custer County is 60.0 years. This is 61% higher than the state median of 37.3 years. Only 13.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Custer County is $67,574. This is 13% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $381,700. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Custer County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 13.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.1% vs 1.3%).
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Custer County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Idaho and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Custer County, Idaho?
Custer County has a population of 4,470, making it the 40th most populous county in Idaho.
What is the median income in Custer County?
The median household income in Custer County is $67,574 with a poverty rate of 15.8%.
How many cities are in Custer County, Idaho?
Custer County contains 4 Census-designated places.