1st Advantage MortgageIn Custer County, Idaho, the typical household earns $67,574 a year and the typical rent is $691. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Idaho before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Custer County
- Paychecks and income spread in Custer County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Custer County
- Employment and commuting in Custer County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Custer County
- More Custer County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Custer County
- Debt-to-income at Custer County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in Idaho
- A Custer County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Custer County
With an estimated 4,470 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Custer County ranks 40th of 44 in Idaho for population. Spread over 4,922 square miles, that works out to roughly 0.9 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Challis is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 854 people (19% of the county total). Because Custer County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Paychecks and income spread in Custer County
Half of Custer County households take in less than $67,574 a year and half take in more, 13% below the Idaho median of $77,800.
| Yearly household income | Custer County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.4% | +16.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.4% | -10.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -6.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Custer County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.8% of Custer County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Idaho. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.422 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Custer County
A typical Custer County rental runs $691 a month including utilities, which is 44% below Idaho. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. With a median value of $381,700, a typical Custer County house costs 5.6 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 77% of homes.
| Housing | Custer County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $691/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $381,700 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.8% | 6.9% | n/a |
Because most Custer County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Employment and commuting in Custer County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Custer County residents work in arts, lodging and food service and 19% in education and health care. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Custer County averages 2.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.7%). About 57% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Custer County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, lodging and food service | 19.6% | +11.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.9% | -3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.7% | +6.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -3.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Custer County's, from 49 to 78 miles away. Blaine County leads the group on income ($92,566), Butte County trails ($53,015), and Custer County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custer County | - | $67,574 | $691/mo | 77% |
| Lemhi County, ID | 49 mi | $53,202 | $754/mo | 79% |
| Camas County, ID | 59 mi | $57,955 | $1,000/mo | 80% |
| Blaine County, ID | 63 mi | $92,566 | $1,338/mo | 74% |
| Butte County, ID | 67 mi | $53,015 | $608/mo | 78% |
| Boise County, ID | 75 mi | $78,774 | $850/mo | 90% |
| Valley County, ID | 78 mi | $76,078 | $1,117/mo | 82% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Custer County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Custer County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 1,830 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Challis | city | 854 | $40,750 | $539 | 16 mi |
| Mackay | city | 602 | $43,897 | n/a | 40 mi |
| Stanley | city | 319 | n/a | n/a | 34 mi |
| Lost River | city | 55 | n/a | n/a | 51 mi |
| Clayton | city | 0 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
More Custer County figures
29% of Custer County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 12.1%, against 9.1% for Idaho.
| Residents | Custer County | Idaho | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 60.0 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.3% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.1% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 27.3% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 62.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 15.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Custer County
Where the Custer County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Manufactured homes. 20% of Custer County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Retirees. At a median age of 60.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Debt-to-income at Custer County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Custer County's medians:
- $67,574 a year is $5,631 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $691, or 12 cents of every gross dollar
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,280 left for all other debt payments
- $1,843: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $691, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Idaho
Before sharing details with a lender, a Custer County resident can confirm its license with the Idaho Department of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Idaho guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Custer County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Custer County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Idaho license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Custer County earn?
The median is $67,574; 20% earn $100,000 or more and 35% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Custer County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $691 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Custer County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Challis, Mackay, Stanley, Lost River, Clayton.
Will a Custer County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Idaho as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Custer County check a lender's license?
With the Idaho Department of Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.