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CITY

Helena-West Helena

Arkansas · 8,216 residents (2025 est.) · 13.114 sq mi
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#18Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-22.5%
The short version

Helena-West Helena has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,019. Population has declined 3% since 2023. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $73,200. The poverty rate of 31.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,935
−3%since 2023
from 9,218 in 2023
2009 – 2025
Population density
681 / sq mi
−3%since 2023
from 703 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
Median age
39.3
Unchangedsince 2023
from 39.4 in 2023
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:8,216 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 2009 – 2024
9K10K11K12K13K200920202024Helena-West Helena
20249K
200920202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,019
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $32,466 in 2023
US average: $82,259
2009 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,871
−2%since 2023
from $19,219 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
21.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2023
from 21.1% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
31.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2023
from 32.4% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
−5%since 2023
from 0.473 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services10.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$73,200
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $72,300 in 2023
US average: $376,019
2009 – 2024
Median gross rent
$771
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $774 in 2023
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
42.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2023
from 46.0% in 2023
58.0% rent
Vacancy rate
31.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2023
from 29.6% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.2%
+3.6 ptssince 2023
from 8.6% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2023
from 56.3% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
−9%since 2023
from 2.2 in 2023
2009 – 2024
Gentrification Score
30
RELATED:See current rent listings in Helena-West Helena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic20%(1,848)
Black73.5%(6,771)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(235)
Asian1.6%(149)
Other2.3%(215)
Diversity Score52.4%(4,826)
2024
White, non-Hispanic20.2%(1,809)
Black71.9%(6,420)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(238)
Asian1.9%(167)
Other3.4%(301)
Diversity Score55.1%(4,920)
Diversity Score
55
+5%since 2023
from 52 in 2023
2009 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2023
from 14.3% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2023
from 82.4% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2023
from 3.9% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
−10%since 2023
from 22.6 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−3.9 ptssince 2023
from 73.3% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2023
from 17.5% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2023
from 1.2% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2023
from 3.5% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2023
from 1.0% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2023
from 0.1% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2023
from 17.2% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
17.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2023
from 18.3% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2023
from 49.9% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2023
from 17.1% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2023
from 30.6% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2023
from 46.2% in 2023
Female
54.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2023
from 53.8% in 2023
Foreign born
2.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2023
from 1.9% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2023
from 5.2% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2023
from 24.0% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2023
from 8.6% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
79.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2023
from 80.3% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2023
from 97.6% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2023
from 0.4% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas?

Helena-West Helena, Arkansas has about 8,935 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas?

The typical household in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas earns about $36,019 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Helena-West Helena, Arkansas expensive?

In Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $73,200, and the typical rent is about $771 a month.

How educated are people in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas?

About 15.3% of adults age 25 and over in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas?

About 31.7% of people in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →