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CITY · 2020 ACS

Helena

Alabama · 20,914 residents · 22.089 sq mi
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The short version

Helena is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $89,982. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 10,618 residents. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $203,100. Poverty is rare here, at 4.8% of residents. Households here earn about 73% more than the Alabama median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
46% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,914
+103%since 2000
from 10,296 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
947 / sq mi
+103%since 2000
from 466 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.6
+20%since 2000
from 31.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K7K13K18K24K1990201020202024Helena
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$89,982
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,908 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,686
+47%since 2000
from $26,323 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
59.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services13.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration10.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Information7.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade6.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services3.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$203,100
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $128,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,201
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $681 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
90.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 94.5% in 2000
10.0% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+10%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Helena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(9,540)
Black5%(513)
Hispanic / Latino1%(103)
Asian0.7%(67)
Other0%
Diversity Score15.8%(1,628)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.4%(15,149)
Black16.2%(3,382)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(1,016)
Asian1.6%(327)
Other4.7%(989)
Diversity Score55.2%(11,545)
Diversity Score
55
+249%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 45.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 95.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.9 min
+45%since 2000
from 22.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.5%
−8.5 ptssince 2011
from 77.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
50.9%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.6%
−87.2 ptssince 2013
from 94.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Helena to nearby cities

HELENA VS
Alabaster
Income$91,357+2%
Home value$261,700+29%
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HELENA VS
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Income$109,253+21%
Home value$412,200+103%
Population93,550+300%
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HELENA VS
Bessemer
Income$39,613−56%
Home value$135,900−33%
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HELENA VS
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Income$101,094+12%
Home value$299,800+48%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Helena, Alabama?

Helena, Alabama has about 20,914 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Helena, Alabama?

The typical household in Helena, Alabama earns about $89,982 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Helena, Alabama expensive?

In Helena, Alabama, the median home is worth about $203,100, and the typical rent is about $1,201 a month.

How educated are people in Helena, Alabama?

About 46.0% of adults age 25 and over in Helena, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Helena, Alabama?

About 4.8% of people in Helena, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Helena, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Helena, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 16,996 residents, a change of about 434 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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