East Helena, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Helena, Montana had a total population of 1,702, the 64th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $60,417, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
East Helena Quick Facts
How East Helena 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 | 1,855 | 1,702 | -8.2% |
| Median household income | $53,611 | $60,417 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $254,400 | $290,700 | +14.3% |
How East Helena 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: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Helena Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Lewis and Clark County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 33,639 | $71,036 | 8.8% | $387,300 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | 9,108 | $74,075 | 8.3% | $331,500 |
| Helena Valley West Central | 8,056 | $90,082 | 7.1% | $367,200 |
| Helena Valley Northwest | 5,183 | $100,605 | 2.6% | $404,200 |
| Helena Valley Northeast | 4,659 | $140,517 | 5.2% | $576,700 |
| Helena West Side | 1,417 | $66,921 | 5.9% | $402,300 |
| Lincoln | 908 | $62,813 | 6.4% | $380,900 |
| Unionville | 412 | $84,750 | 1.5% | $485,500 |
| York | 182 | N/A | 0.0% | $423,700 |
| Craig | 172 | N/A | 17.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to East Helena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plentywood | 1,654 | $68,438 | $161,000 | 23.2% | 14.7% |
| Bonner-West Riverside | 1,563 | $62,039 | $210,900 | 23.6% | 14.5% |
| South Browning | 1,538 | N/A | $73,000 | 9.3% | 42.2% |
| Big Timber | 1,611 | $66,898 | $278,200 | 16.2% | 10.4% |
| West Yellowstone | 1,474 | $58,839 | $504,300 | 25.1% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
East Helena is a small community located in Montana, within Lewis and Clark County. The total population is 1,702. It ranks as the 64th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Helena is 35.6 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Helena is $60,417. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 117% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $290,700. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
East Helena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.8% vs 4.6%).
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Helena, Montana 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 Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. 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 East Helena, Montana?
East Helena, Montana has a population of 1,702 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Helena, MT?
The median household income in East Helena is $60,417, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Helena, MT?
The poverty rate in East Helena is 16.5%. This means approximately 281 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Helena, Montana?
East Helena's population is 88.4% White, 0.0% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Helena, MT?
The median home value in East Helena is $290,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is East Helena, Montana?
23.6% of adults (25+) in East Helena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.