Challis, ID
Full City Profile · Idaho · Custer County County
3.0
/5.0
B
Good
794
Population
403/sq mi density
$50,034
Median Income
$25,310 per capita
$168,300
Home Value
$337,254 Zillow
$635
Median Rent
19.8% income on rent
44°F
Avg Temperature
857
Violent Crime/100K
964 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$50,034 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$168,300 home value, $635/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
857 violent crimes/100K (125% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Challis has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.9 inches.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,216 ft (1,590 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 403/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.5058°N, 114.2283°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 119 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Craters of the Moon (134 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Craters of the Moon | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,005 m (6,578 ft) | -130 | 134 km |
| Black Butte Crater Lava Field | Shield | 1,478 m (4,849 ft) | -8400 | 147 km |
| Hell's Half Acre | Shield | 1,631 m (5,351 ft) | -3250 | 181 km |
| Wapi Lava Field | Shield | 1,604 m (5,262 ft) | -300 | 198 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Challis has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 20°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (0.9") and February the driest (0.4").