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CITY

East Helena

Montana · 2,325 residents (2025 est.) · 4.054 sq mi
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The short version

East Helena has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,417. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $290,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 79%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,702
+4%since 2000
from 1,642 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
420 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 405 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.6
−6%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,325 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K3K1990201020202024East Helena
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,417
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,071 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,839
+132%since 2000
from $15,893 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.0%
+19.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.5%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.388
+11%since 2010
from 0.351 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food5.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade4.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$290,700
+79%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,090
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $523 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.8% in 2000
33.5% rent
Vacancy rate
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.8%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.8
+68%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in East Helena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94%(1,543)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(30)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.3%(87)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(1,505)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino7.8%(133)
Asian1.1%(18)
Other2.7%(46)
Diversity Score26.4%(449)
Diversity Score
26
+399%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.6%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.1%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.0 min
+92%since 2000
from 8.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.5%
−15.5 ptssince 2009
from 84.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.5%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
76.0%
+9.3 ptssince 2011
from 66.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
52.5%
−11.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
46.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.5%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 42.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.1%
−81.4 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.3%
+16.1 ptssince 2017
from 72.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2016
from 95.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare East Helena to nearby cities

EAST HELENA VS
Helena Valley Southeast
Income$74,075+23%
Home value$331,500+14%
Population9,108+292%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST HELENA VS
Helena
Income$71,036+18%
Home value$387,300+33%
Population35,138+1411%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST HELENA VS
Helena Valley West Central
Income$90,082+49%
Home value$367,200+26%
Population8,056+246%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST HELENA VS
Butte-Silver Bow
Income$61,857+2%
Home value$257,800−11%
Population35,469+1426%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Helena, Montana?

East Helena, Montana has about 1,702 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in East Helena, Montana?

The typical household in East Helena, Montana earns about $60,417 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is East Helena, Montana expensive?

In East Helena, Montana, the median home is worth about $290,700, and the typical rent is about $1,090 a month.

How educated are people in East Helena, Montana?

About 23.6% of adults age 25 and over in East Helena, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in East Helena, Montana?

About 16.5% of people in East Helena, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has East Helena, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, East Helena, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 164 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →