Helena Valley Northwest, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Helena Valley Northwest, Montana had a total population of 5,183, the 26th largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $100,605, which is 39% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Montana.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.6% — among the lowest in Montana.
Helena Valley Northwest Quick Facts
How Helena Valley Northwest 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 | 5,070 | 5,183 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $101,278 | $100,605 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $358,600 | $404,200 | +12.7% |
How Helena Valley Northwest 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+)
Helena Valley Northwest 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 Northeast | 4,659 | $140,517 | 5.2% | $576,700 |
| East Helena | 1,702 | $60,417 | 16.5% | $290,700 |
| 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 Helena Valley Northwest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Corners | 5,791 | $100,917 | $648,400 | 60.9% | 6.3% |
| Bigfork | 5,565 | $85,307 | $674,600 | 50.4% | 5.7% |
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | $384,400 | 32.1% | 15.2% |
| Glendive | 4,810 | $72,670 | $182,600 | 23.5% | 13.5% |
| Lolo | 4,314 | $86,065 | $431,800 | 40.9% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Helena Valley Northwest is a small city located in Montana, within Lewis and Clark County. The total population is 5,183. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena Valley Northwest is 35.7 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Helena Valley Northwest has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena Valley Northwest is $100,605. This is 39% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.6%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $404,200. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 95.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Helena Valley Northwest has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
35.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher 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 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Helena Valley Northwest, 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 Helena Valley Northwest, Montana?
Helena Valley Northwest, Montana has a population of 5,183 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena Valley Northwest, MT?
The median household income in Helena Valley Northwest is $100,605, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Helena Valley Northwest, MT?
The poverty rate in Helena Valley Northwest is 2.6%. This means approximately 133 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena Valley Northwest, Montana?
Helena Valley Northwest's population is 91.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena Valley Northwest, MT?
The median home value in Helena Valley Northwest is $404,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Helena Valley Northwest, Montana?
35.7% of adults (25+) in Helena Valley Northwest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.