Browse / United States / Idaho / Challis
Challis
Idahocity
Challis
Total population
854
Median home value
$176,400
Bachelor's+
Median income
$40,750
Founded
1878
Demographic figures from US Census Bureau · ACS 5-year estimates. Overview below cites Wikipedia and may reference a different year.
City facts
Facts from Wikidata (CC0).
Overview
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.
Read more on WikipediaHistory & geography
History
Challis was founded in 1878 and named for A.P. Challis, who was a surveyor when the townsite was laid out. Challis post office was established in 1878. Twin Peaks Sports, the I.O.O.F. Hall, and a number of other buildings in Challis are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, most as a result of an Idaho State Historical Society study of historical resources in the town.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. Challis experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification 'BSk') with cold winters, hot summers, and low precipitation throughout the year.
Excerpted from the corresponding Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA).
Demographics & economy
Race & ethnicity
Source: US Census Bureau — American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.
Geography
Coordinates & boundaries from the US Census TIGER/Line shapefiles.
Climate
Current forecast
Forecast for Challis, ID from NOAA NWS API.
Air quality
Industrial & pollution facilities
Natural hazard risk
Health (adults)
Age-adjusted prevalence estimates from CDC PLACES (latest release).
Walkability
Amenities nearby
Wildlife & biodiversity
Most-observed species
- Black-billed MagpiePica hudsonia (Sabine, 1823) · Aves148
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves124
- Canada Goose (canadensis Group)Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves97
- European StarlingSturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves96
- American RobinTurdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves93
- Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves89
- Song SparrowMelospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves77
- American CootFulica americana Gmelin, 1789 · Aves75
Citizen-science & research observations from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
Schools
Largest nearby schools
- CHALLIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLElementary · CHALLIS · 158 students · 12.2:1 ratio
- CHALLIS JR/SR HIGH SCHOOLHigh · CHALLIS · 151 students · 11.6:1 ratio
Public K–12 schools within ~10 mi from Urban Institute Education Data Portal (NCES Common Core of Data, 2022).
Earthquake history
Most recent
- M 3.2 — 2026-09-1223 km NW of Stanley, Idaho
- M 3.3 — 2026-09-0623 km NW of Stanley, Idaho
- M 2.9 — 2026-09-054 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho
- M 2.8 — 2026-08-1223 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho
- M 2.7 — 2026-06-278 km N of Stanley, Idaho
- M 2.5 — 2026-06-2022 km NW of Stanley, Idaho
Events from the USGS Earthquake Catalog (global) (FDSN Event Web Service).
Photos
Sights & places nearby
Notable people from here
People born within ~10 km, from Wikidata (CC0). Click any name for their Wikipedia article.
Nearby places in Idaho
Geography & sun
Elevation, sunrise/sunset and daylight from Open-Meteo. Solar climatology from NASA POWER.
Nearby airports
Public attention
Pageview totals from the Wikimedia Pageviews API.
Books about this place
Recent natural events nearby
- Wildfire Roe 2, Beaverhead, MontanaWildfires · 2026-08-27 · 77 mi
- Wildfire CROOKED, Boise, IdahoWildfires · 2026-08-18 · 79 mi
- Wildfire Sand Creek, Beaverhead, MontanaWildfires · 2026-08-01 · 85 mi
- Wildfire Bobcat Lakes, Beaverhead, MontanaWildfires · 2026-07-31 · 93 mi
- Wildfire Shale Butte, Lincoln, IdahoWildfires · 2026-08-22 · 108 mi
- Wildfire Moose, Granite, MontanaWildfires · 2026-07-26 · 111 mi
- Wildfire Nature Grove, Ravalli, MontanaWildfires · 2026-08-23 · 115 mi
- Wildfire Black Bear, Ravalli, MontanaWildfires · 2026-08-01 · 116 mi
Wildfires, storms and other events from NASA EONET (last 12 months, within 250 mi).
Ground air-quality sensors
Recently spotted species
Research-grade observations from iNaturalist (within ~15 mi).
Nearest stream gauge
Events
Gallery
Sources
- • Wikipedia
- • US Census Bureau (ACS 5-year estimates)
- • NOAA National Weather Service
- • Wikidata
- • USGS Earthquake Catalog (global feed)
- • NCES via Urban Institute Education Data Portal
- • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
- • iNaturalist
- • CDC PLACES
- • Open-Meteo / sunrise-sunset.org
- • Wikipedia Pageviews API
- • NASA EONET