Helena-West Helena city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Helena-West Helena city is a small city located in Arkansas. The total population is 9,218. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Helena-West Helena city is 39.4 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Helena-West Helena city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Helena-West Helena city is $32,466. This is 45% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 32.4%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 18.3%. This is 260% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $72,300. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Helena-West Helena city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Helena-West Helena city is Black or African American, making up 73.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.1%) is well below the state average of 68.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (73.5% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Helena-West Helena city, Arkansas 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 Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.