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CITY · 2020 ACS

Helena

Montana · 32,091 residents · 16.892 sq mi
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The short version

Helena has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $60,074. Population has grown 24% since 2000. 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $263,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
49% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,091
+24%since 2000
from 25,780 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,900 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 1,526 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.8
+3%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
23K26K29K32K35K1990201020202024Helena
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,074
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,416 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,759
+89%since 2000
from $20,020 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Retail trade2.9%
US avg: 10%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$263,300
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $107,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$845
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $442 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.5%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 57.3% in 2000
48.5% rent
Afford Score
4.4
+41%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic86.6%(27,798)
Black0.6%(185)
Hispanic / Latino4%(1,277)
Asian1.1%(357)
Other5%(1,597)
Diversity Score25.3%(8,121)
Diversity Score
25
+275%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.0%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 39.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 92.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.6%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.0 min
+34%since 2000
from 9.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.5%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
51.1%
−21.7 ptssince 2009
from 72.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.1%
−86.9 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Helena to nearby cities

HELENA VS
Helena Valley West Central
Income$90,082+50%
Home value$367,200+39%
Population8,056−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HELENA VS
Helena Valley Southeast
Income$74,075+23%
Home value$331,500+26%
Population9,108−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HELENA VS
Butte-Silver Bow
Income$61,857+3%
Home value$257,800−2%
Population35,469+1%
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HELENA VS
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Income$57,527−4%
Home value$231,700−12%
Population9,709−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Helena, Montana?

Helena, Montana has about 32,091 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Helena, Montana?

The typical household in Helena, Montana earns about $60,074 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 $263,300, and the typical rent is about $845 a month.

How educated are people in Helena, Montana?

About 49.0% 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 11.8% 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 7,745 residents, a change of about 32 percent over that period.

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

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