St. Helen, MI

Michigan

St. Helen is a small town in Michigan with a population of 2,841. Residents earn $42,091 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
2,841 Population 496/sq mi density
$42,091 Median Income $29,267 per capita
$85,300 Home Value
$728 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$42,091 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,300 home value, $728/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,091
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,300
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.5%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $728
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.0%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.9%
60% higher than US avg

How St. Helen Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,841
Median Age54.6 yrs
Density496/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,091
Per Capita$29,267
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty19.9%
County GDP$854M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,300
Rent$728
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity43.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.3%
Heart Disease7.9%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation1,201 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.5%
High School+84.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute29 min
Libraries4

Is St. Helen a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, St. Helen receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. St. Helen offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in St. Helen is $42,091, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. The poverty rate of 19.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in St. Helen is $85,300, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $728 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

St. Helen has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 53.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

St. Helen has a population of 2,841 with a density of 496 people per square mile. The median age is 54.6 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.2%), with 4.7% Hispanic, 1.9% Black.

Population

2,841
Total Population
496
People / sq mi
54.6yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
5.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

St. Helen vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

St. Helen vs U.S. Average

The median household income in St. Helen is $42,091, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: St. Helen vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,091
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,267
Avg Weekly Wage$765
IRS Avg AGI$58,282

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.9%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)583
County GDP$854M

Business (County)

Restaurants74
Healthcare50
Retail122
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,612
60% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.2 min
Work from Home2.5%

Walkability

The median home value in St. Helen is $85,300, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $728 (37% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,300
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$728
37% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,612
60% above US avg
Effective Rate6.58%
In St. Helen, 43.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.3% report depression. 31.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: St. Helen vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.0%
34% above US avg
Diabetes12.5%
Heart Disease7.9%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma12.7%
COPD11.6%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity31.3%
Depression31.3%
Mental Distress22.8%
Physical Distress17.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate76.1%
Premature Death12,762/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access74.5%
Healthcare Facilities50

Crime Rates: St. Helen vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

St. Helen has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.3°F
18% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall53.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,201 ft (366 m)
Area5.7 sq mi (14.8 km²)
Population Density496/sq mi
Coordinates44.3587°N, 84.4118°W
County FIPS26143
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.9%
D 32.9%

Winner: Republican by 32.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.5%
72% below US avg
High School+84.0%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density496/sq mi
Total Area5.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities50
Restaurants74
Retail Stores122

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.2 min
Work from Home2.5%

Nearby Cities

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