Helena city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Helena city, Alabama has a total population of 21,452, the 31st largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $109,590, which is 77% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 77% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.7% — among the lowest in Alabama.
- 48.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Helena city Quick Facts
How Helena city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Helena city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Helena city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairhope city | 23,360 | $86,509 | $406,500 | 53.4% | 9.6% |
| Pelham city | 24,510 | $91,904 | $278,900 | 48.8% | 7.2% |
| Trussville city | 26,182 | $120,794 | $351,500 | 48.1% | 1.7% |
| Oxford city | 22,063 | $70,065 | $164,700 | 24.8% | 14.9% |
| Homewood city | 27,697 | $108,386 | $502,300 | 69.9% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Helena city is a small city located in Alabama. The total population is 21,452. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena city is 37.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena city is $109,590. This is 77% higher than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% higher. The poverty rate stands at 3.7%. This is 76% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $292,700. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Helena city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Helena city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.7%.
Education
48.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Helena city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.1%. Notably, 16.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Helena city, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 589 Census-designated places in Alabama. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Alabama city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Helena city, Alabama?
Helena city, Alabama has a population of 21,452 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena city, AL?
The median household income in Helena city is $109,590, which is 40% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Helena city, AL?
The poverty rate in Helena city is 3.7%. This means approximately 796 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena city, Alabama?
Helena city's population is 71.1% White, 17.7% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena city, AL?
The median home value in Helena city is $292,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Helena city, Alabama?
48.2% of adults (25+) in Helena city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.