Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Challis’ mean commuting time is 13 minutes, below both Idaho’s towns (20 minutes) and U.S. towns (25 minutes). Of the 60 Idaho towns we compare, none has a lower middle household income than Challis. Challis’ trail density is 3.9 miles per square mile, above both the Idaho town median (0.8) and the median of U.S. towns (0.4). Its National Register listings include Bayhorse and Challis Brewery Historic District. Challis has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Challis beats most towns.
Census counts: 614 in 1880, a low of 338 in 1910, 902 in 2020. The archive holds 17 old photos and papers going back to 1885 and 3 maps from 1957 on.
24 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Challis, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
Ordered by what stands out in Challis.
In Challis, just over a fifth of residents live below the poverty line. Most people who work leave Challis to do it: just 18% work in town. Since 2013, Challis has added 100 jobs, to 414 in 2023. The top destinations are Mackay (14%), Idaho Falls (9%) and Stanley (3%).
| Challis | Idaho towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 21% | 12% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 18% | 22% | 8% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Its two schools are below. Public schools: the Challis Joint District.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challis Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–6 | Grades PK–6 | 173 | D− |
| Challis Jr./Sr. High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 7–12 | Grades 7–12 | 136 | D |
NCES · EDFacts
Among 60 Idaho towns, just 4 have a higher risk rating from FEMA than Challis. Expected losses in Challis break down as 48% from inland flooding and 29% from avalanches.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Typical home values rose 11% in the year to September 2026. Challis: nearly three in five households are owner-occupiers.
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
July afternoons reach 87° and January nights drop to 12°.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
In a town this small, a few incidents move the numbers a lot, so rates aren't shown. 7 crimes were reported in Challis in 2025: 5 property and 2 violent.
Challis is small, so we show counts rather than rates.
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Only 4 of the 60 Idaho towns we compare have a lower share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Challis. 14% of adults have diabetes in the town. Against the Idaho average, Challis comes out ahead on 3 CDC measures out of 32, and behind on 9.
| Challis | Idaho towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 26% | 30% | 33% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 31% | 35% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 15% | 16% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 34% | 36% |
| What stands out | Challis | ID |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 78% | 70.5% |
| More adults getting cholesterol checked | 86% | 81.1% |
| More adults with heart disease | 9.1% | 6.2% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Walkers can cover 7.8 miles of trail in 2 parks and preserves. Parks and preserves in Challis: 2, covering 7 acres.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Central Park | — | 5 |
| 2. Challis Fish Pond | — | 2 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of Challis; the nearest are
About 2 of every 100 Challis residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Idaho.
1,081 counted in 2010 and 902 in 2020; an estimated 959 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
24 places in Challis on the National Register of Historic Places.
City in Idaho, United States
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)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Challis has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
