At a Glance
Median Income
$69,341
$46,129 per capita
Home Value
$355,100
Zillow: $480,407
Median Rent
$1,058/mo
26.7% of income on rent
Violent Crime
514/100K
2,594/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
50.4%
96.1% high school+
Unemployment
3.1%
4.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.4%
11.5% smoking rate
How Helena Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Helena's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Helena a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.5 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Helena residents earn a median household income of $69,341 , which is 8% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $46,129. The unemployment rate stands at 3.1% (14% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 495 business establishments, including 34 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Helena is $355,100 , 26% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $480,407. Median rent is $1,058/month, with 26.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1974.
Safety & Crime
Helena reports 514 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 35% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,594/100K. The murder rate is 2.8/100K.
Education
50.4% of adults in Helena hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(50% above the national average).
96.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Helena has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C).
Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.4 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population33,126
Median Age40.4 yrs
Density1,929/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born1.7%
Veterans7.7%
Economy
A
Median Income$69,341
Per Capita$46,129
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty4.2%
County GDP$393M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,049
Housing
B+
Home Value$355,100
Rent$1,058
Ownership53.8%
Zillow$480,407
Housing Units16,243
Rent Burden26.7%
Crime
F
Violent514/100K
Property2,594/100K
Murder2.8/100K
Assault369/100K
Burglary233/100K
Health
Obesity30.4%
Diabetes7.3%
Smoking11.5%
Heart Disease4.5%
Premature Death7,802/100K
Climate
Avg Temp46°F
Rain11.4 in/yr
Elevation3,993 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+50.4%
High School+96.1%
Graduate+19.4%
School Score6.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 67% / D 30%
Commute14 min
Broadband87.2%
Internet Speed45 Mbps
EV Stations12
Libraries4
Did You Know?
Helena was founded in 1864.
The median home in Helena was built in 1974.
The nearest airport is Helena Regional (2 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.425 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
15.2% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.