Helena Valley West Central, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Helena Valley West Central, Montana had a total population of 8,056, the 16th largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $90,082, which is 24% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Helena Valley West Central Quick Facts
How Helena Valley West Central 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 | 8,224 | 8,056 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $89,040 | $90,082 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $352,800 | $367,200 | +4.1% |
How Helena Valley West Central 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 West Central 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 Northwest | 5,183 | $100,605 | 2.6% | $404,200 |
| 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 West Central
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitefish | 8,749 | $73,811 | $684,300 | 56.8% | 9.4% |
| Miles City | 8,407 | $67,727 | $200,200 | 25.4% | 11.4% |
| Lockwood | 7,181 | $75,700 | $235,400 | 15.4% | 10.7% |
| Helena Valley Southeast | 9,108 | $74,075 | $331,500 | 25.4% | 8.3% |
| Livingston | 8,780 | $65,861 | $392,400 | 38.6% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Helena Valley West Central is a small city located in Montana, within Lewis and Clark County. The total population is 8,056. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena Valley West Central is 39.3 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena Valley West Central is $90,082. This is 24% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $367,200. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 85.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Helena Valley West Central has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
41.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Helena Valley West Central, 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 West Central, Montana?
Helena Valley West Central, Montana has a population of 8,056 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena Valley West Central, MT?
The median household income in Helena Valley West Central is $90,082, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Helena Valley West Central, MT?
The poverty rate in Helena Valley West Central is 7.1%. This means approximately 572 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena Valley West Central, Montana?
Helena Valley West Central's population is 87.9% White, 0.4% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena Valley West Central, MT?
The median home value in Helena Valley West Central is $367,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Helena Valley West Central, Montana?
41.1% of adults (25+) in Helena Valley West Central hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.