The Town Files

Custer County, Idaho

4,470 people. The median home is worth $381,700 (typical Idaho town: $291,900) and the median household earns $67,574.

Towns in Custer County

Towns in Custer County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Challis902$176,400$40,75048.4

People and housing

Custer CountyTypical Idaho town
Median home value$381,700$291,900
Median rent$691$1,029
Median household income$67,574$66,924
Median age60.036.6
Bachelor's degree or higher29.3%21.7%
Below the poverty line15.8%11.4%

Jobs and pay

1,539 jobs in 2024, average pay $45,656 a year.

Largest industries in Custer CountyHotels & restaurants291 jobs · $32,374Retail177 jobs · $23,679Arts & recreation82 jobs · $31,870Other services72 jobs · $21,256Construction62 jobs · $39,549Wholesale trade37 jobs · $63,011
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Custer County0%2%4%6%8%10%2000200420082012201620202023 3.8%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 334 storm events in Custer County from 1996 to 2026, with 4 deaths.

Storm events in Custer County by type since 1996Hail9Flood8Wildfire22Avalanche25High Wind36Heavy Snow103Flash Flood11Winter Storm60Excessive Heat3Winter Weather5
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Custer County has been included in 7 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
April 9, 2020BiologicalDR-4534: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3467: Covid-19
August 27, 2017FloodDR-4333: Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides
September 13, 2005HurricaneEM-3244: Hurricane Katrina
September 1, 2000FireDR-1341: Wildfires
June 13, 1997Severe StormDR-1177: Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, Flooding
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).