Helena, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Helena, Oklahoma had a total population of 1,557, the 172nd largest town in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $61,500, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,487 | 1,557 | +4.7% |
| Median household income | $64,286 | $61,500 | -4.3% |
| Median home value | $80,500 | $66,700 | -17.1% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Helena Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Alfalfa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | 1,509 | $58,860 | 22.2% | $96,600 |
| Carmen | 336 | $37,143 | 34.2% | $52,700 |
| Goltry | 271 | $96,667 | 5.9% | $99,500 |
| Jet | 208 | $56,531 | 13.0% | $83,400 |
| Aline | 204 | $78,309 | 10.6% | $59,500 |
| Burlington | 138 | $56,875 | 21.0% | $107,800 |
| Nescatunga | 97 | N/A | 33.0% | $63,800 |
| Byron | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Amorita | 7 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Lambert | 4 | N/A | 0.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris | 1,555 | $58,716 | $114,800 | 18.9% | 16.3% |
| Crescent | 1,527 | $62,813 | $154,700 | 10.5% | 19.3% |
| Minco | 1,607 | $61,000 | $145,900 | 17.4% | 11.3% |
| Cherokee | 1,509 | $58,860 | $96,600 | 30.3% | 22.2% |
| Beaver | 1,586 | $56,078 | $154,000 | 17.7% | 18.2% |
Population Overview
Helena is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Alfalfa County. The total population is 1,557. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena is 48.1 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 37.0 years. Only 3.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena is $61,500. This is 5% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $66,700. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Helena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Helena is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (13.0% vs 6.8%).
Education
3.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 28.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Helena, Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma. 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, Oklahoma?
Helena, Oklahoma has a population of 1,557 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena, OK?
The median household income in Helena is $61,500, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Helena, OK?
The poverty rate in Helena is 12.0%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena, Oklahoma?
Helena's population is 55.6% White, 13.0% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena, OK?
The median home value in Helena is $66,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Helena, Oklahoma?
3.7% of adults (25+) in Helena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.