St. Helen, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Helen, Michigan had a total population of 2,929, the 240th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,871, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
St. Helen Quick Facts
How St. Helen Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,841 | 2,929 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $42,091 | $44,871 | +6.6% |
| Median home value | $85,300 | $95,600 | +12.1% |
How St. Helen Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
St. Helen Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Roscommon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Lake | 5,769 | $50,305 | 19.0% | $126,200 |
| Prudenville | 1,350 | $33,635 | 13.6% | $163,300 |
| Roscommon | 1,118 | $54,167 | 12.4% | $93,900 |
Cities Similar to St. Helen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fowlerville | 2,918 | $45,773 | $192,000 | 13.9% | 14.1% |
| Bad Axe | 2,992 | $44,688 | $125,200 | 22.1% | 20.2% |
| Corunna | 3,037 | $46,141 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
| Rogers City | 2,878 | $49,266 | $110,200 | 24.4% | 17.7% |
| Gladwin | 3,098 | $43,005 | $126,900 | 14.6% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
St. Helen is a small community located in Michigan, within Roscommon County. The total population is 2,929. It ranks as the 240th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Helen is 52.9 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Helen is $44,871. This is 38% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.8%. This is 148% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 10.5%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $95,600. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, St. Helen is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Helen has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Helen, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of St. Helen, Michigan?
St. Helen, Michigan has a population of 2,929 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Helen, MI?
The median household income in St. Helen is $44,871, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Helen, MI?
The poverty rate in St. Helen is 32.8%. This means approximately 957 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Helen, Michigan?
St. Helen's population is 89.8% White, 1.5% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Helen, MI?
The median home value in St. Helen is $95,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is St. Helen, Michigan?
10.8% of adults (25+) in St. Helen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.