Helena West Side, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Helena West Side, Montana had a total population of 1,417, the 77th largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $66,921, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.3%.
Helena West Side Quick Facts
How Helena West Side 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 | 1,584 | 1,417 | -10.5% |
| Median household income | $67,692 | $66,921 | -1.1% |
| Median home value | $411,800 | $402,300 | -2.3% |
How Helena West Side 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 West Side 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 |
| East Helena | 1,702 | $60,417 | 16.5% | $290,700 |
| 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 West Side
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Benton | 1,474 | $67,188 | $247,600 | 30.2% | 3.0% |
| South Browning | 1,538 | N/A | $73,000 | 9.3% | 42.2% |
| Chinook | 1,353 | $61,750 | $214,700 | 35.8% | 8.4% |
| West Yellowstone | 1,474 | $58,839 | $504,300 | 25.1% | 13.1% |
| Big Timber | 1,611 | $66,898 | $278,200 | 16.2% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Helena West Side is a small community located in Montana, within Lewis and Clark County. The total population is 1,417. It ranks as the 77th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena West Side is 34.5 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena West Side is $66,921. This is 8% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 0.3%. This is 93% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $402,300. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Helena West Side has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.0% vs 0.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
44.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 89.0%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Helena West Side, 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 West Side, Montana?
Helena West Side, Montana has a population of 1,417 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena West Side, MT?
The median household income in Helena West Side is $66,921, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Helena West Side, MT?
The poverty rate in Helena West Side is 5.9%. This means approximately 83 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena West Side, Montana?
Helena West Side's population is 85.4% White, 2.0% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena West Side, MT?
The median home value in Helena West Side is $402,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Helena West Side, Montana?
44.8% of adults (25+) in Helena West Side hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.