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CITY · 2010 ACS

Helena

Montana · 28,190 residents · 16.892 sq mi
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The short version

Helena has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $46,313. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $185,500. 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.3
US median: 37.2
More educated
45% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
28,190
+9%since 2000
from 25,780 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,669 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 1,526 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.3
+4%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
23K26K29K32K35K1990201020202024Helena
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,313
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,416 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,583
+38%since 2000
from $20,020 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
27.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.429
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information10.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration6.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$185,500
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $107,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$633
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $442 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
36.2%
−21.0 ptssince 2000
from 57.3% in 2000
45.4% rent
Vacancy rate
6.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
20.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.0
+28%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Helena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(24,191)
Black0.2%(56)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(430)
Asian0.8%(199)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.7%(1,738)
2010
White, non-Hispanic91.6%(25,831)
Black0.4%(110)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(779)
Asian0.7%(203)
Other3.5%(993)
Diversity Score17.7%(4,993)
Diversity Score
18
+163%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.7%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 39.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
95.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 92.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
17.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
+42%since 2000
from 9.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
66.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
13.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
10.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
3.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
9.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
21.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
47.1%
−25.8 ptssince 2009
from 72.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.8%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Compare Helena to nearby cities

HELENA VS
Helena Valley West Central
Income$90,082+95%
Home value$367,200+98%
Population8,056−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HELENA VS
Helena Valley Southeast
Income$74,075+60%
Home value$331,500+79%
Population9,108−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HELENA VS
Butte-Silver Bow
Income$61,857+34%
Home value$257,800+39%
Population35,469+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HELENA VS
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Income$57,527+24%
Home value$231,700+25%
Population9,709−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Helena, Montana?

Helena, Montana has about 28,190 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Helena, Montana?

The typical household in Helena, Montana earns about $46,313 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Helena, Montana expensive?

In Helena, Montana, the median home is worth about $185,500, and the typical rent is about $633 a month.

How educated are people in Helena, Montana?

About 44.7% of adults age 25 and over in Helena, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Helena, Montana?

About 12.1% of people in Helena, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Helena, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Helena, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,844 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

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