Helena, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Helena, Montana had a total population of 33,639, the 6th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $71,036, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 50.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Montana.
Helena Quick Facts
How 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 | 33,126 | 33,639 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $69,341 | $71,036 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $355,100 | $387,300 | +9.1% |
How 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+)
Helena Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Lewis and Clark County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte-Silver Bow | 35,052 | $61,857 | $257,800 | 28.1% | 14.8% |
| Kalispell | 28,504 | $63,415 | $428,000 | 34.8% | 10.0% |
| Bozeman | 56,114 | $85,747 | $687,900 | 65.1% | 13.7% |
| Great Falls | 60,329 | $63,373 | $257,000 | 27.8% | 14.5% |
| Missoula | 76,514 | $70,392 | $473,100 | 53.0% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Helena is a mid-sized community located in Montana, within Lewis and Clark County. The total population is 33,639. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena is 40.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena is $71,036. This is 2% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $387,300. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Helena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (0.8% vs 0.4%).
Education
50.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Helena in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 44% 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 95.1%. Notably, 18.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Helena, Montana?
Helena, Montana has a population of 33,639 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena, MT?
The median household income in Helena is $71,036, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Helena, MT?
The poverty rate in Helena is 8.8%. This means approximately 2,859 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena, Montana?
Helena's population is 86.4% White, 0.8% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena, MT?
The median home value in Helena is $387,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Helena, Montana?
50.6% of adults (25+) in Helena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.