Helena, MT

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2019 Population

79,722

1.1% 1-year growth

US Senator

Jon Tester

Democratic Party

US Senator

Steve Daines

Republican Party

US Representative

Matt Rosendale

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

41.9

0.475% 1-year decrease

2019 Poverty Rate

9.98%

8.13% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$66,419

5.84% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$248,400

5.3% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

40,238

0.964% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Helena, MT had a population of 79.7k people with a median age of 41.9 and a median household income of $66,419. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Helena, MT grew from 78,855 to 79,722, a 1.1% increase and its median household income grew from $62,755 to $66,419, a 5.84% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Helena, MT are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.74%), White (Hispanic) (2.25%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.55%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.569%). 0% of the households in Helena, MT speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

99.5% of the residents in Helena, MT are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Helena, MT are Carroll College (366 degrees awarded in 2020) and Helena College University of Montana (231 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Helena, MT was $248,400, and the homeownership rate was 71.5%. Most people in Helena, MT drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Helena, MT was 2 cars per household.

Helena, MT borders Bozeman, MT, Butte-Silver Bow, MT, Great Falls, MT, and Kalispell, MT.

United States Montana

Diversity

Helena, MT is home to a population of 79.7k people, from which 99.5% are citizens. As of 2019, 1.18% of Helena, MT residents were born outside of the country (941 people).

In 2019, there were 33.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (73k people) in Helena, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.19k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 1.79k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Helena, MT

White (Non-Hispanic)
73k ± 36
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
2.19k ± 268
White (Hispanic)
1.79k ± 237

3.21%

Hispanic Population

2.56k people

3.21% of the people in Helena, MT are hispanic (2.56k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Helena, MT as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.18%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

941 people

1.29%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

1.02k people

As of 2019, 1.18% of Helena, MT residents (941 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Helena, MT was 1.29%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Helena, MT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 13.4

In 2019, the median age of all people in Helena, MT was 41.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 42, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 51. But people in Helena, MT are getting getting younger. In 2018, the average age of all Helena, MT residents was 42.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Montana.

Most Common Origin

Canada
4,205 ± 1,589 people
Mexico
2,625 ± 1,256 people
Philippines
2,065 ± 1,115 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Montana was Canada, the natal country of 4,205 Montana residents, followed by Mexico with 2,625 and Philippines with 2,065.

Citizenship

99.5%

2019 Citizenship

99.5%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99.5% of Helena, MT residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Helena, MT was 99.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Helena, MT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,566 ± 284
Gulf War (2001-)
2,021 ± 352
Gulf War (1990s)
1,081 ± 256

Helena, MT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.27 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Montana. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Montana, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Montana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Montana. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Montana.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Montana across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Helena, MT is $66,419. In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Helena, MT was Gallatin County, MT with a value of $75,418, followed by Lewis and Clark County, MT and Flathead County, MT, with respective values of $67,616 and $62,588.

Males in Montana have an average income that is 1.4 times higher than the average income of females, which is $42,840. The income inequality in Montana (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Helena, MT employs 40.2k people. The largest industries in Helena, MT are Public Administration (6,786 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,888 people), and Retail Trade (4,249 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($86,369), Utilities ($84,432), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($63,109).

Wages

Median Household Income

$66,419

2019 value

± $2,775

5.84%

1 Year Growth

± 4.84%

Households in Helena, MT have a median annual income of $66,419, which is more than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $62,755 in 2018, which represents a 5.84% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Helena, MT compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Montana.

$59,856

Average Male Salary in Montana

± $3,151

$42,840

Average Female Salary in Montana

± $2,321

In 2019, full-time male employees in Montana made 1.4 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Montana by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Montana.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Montana

White
$45,469 ± $1,886
Other
$43,406 ± $25,882
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$41,038 ± $47,698

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Montana workers was White. These workers were paid 1.05 times more than Other workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Montana.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Montana by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Helena, MT is from Montana.

0.46

2019 Wage GINI in Montana

0.462

2018 Wage GINI in Montana

In 2019, the income inequality in Montana was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.39% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Montana was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Montana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Montana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Helena, MT was Gallatin County, MT with a value of $75,418, followed by Lewis and Clark County, MT and Flathead County, MT, with respective values of $67,616 and $62,588.

The following map shows all of the counties in Helena, MT colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.98% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Helena, MT (7.78k out of 77.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males < 5.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
7,014 ± 661
Hispanic
722 ± 224
Two Or More
397 ± 173

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Helena, MT is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

40.2k

2019 Value

± 1,333

0.964%

1 Year growth

± 4.63%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Helena, MT grew at a rate of 0.964%, from 39.9k employees to 40.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Helena, MT, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,427 people), Management Occupations (4,380 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,966 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Helena, MT.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Helena, MT, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,427 people), Management Occupations (4,380 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,966 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Helena, MT has an unusually high number of residents working as Community & Social Service Occupations (1.8 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.68 times), and Legal Occupations (1.45 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Helena, MT, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($68,125), Protective Service Occupations ($67,778), and Legal Occupations ($66,154).

Industries

Employment by Industries

40.2k

2019 Value

± 1,333

0.964%

1 Year growth

± 4.63%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Helena, MT grew at a rate of 0.964%, from 39.9k employees to 40.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Helena, MT, are Public Administration (6,786 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,888 people), and Retail Trade (4,249 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Helena, MT, though some of these residents may live in Helena, MT and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Helena, MT, by number of employees, are Public Administration (6,786 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,888 people), and Retail Trade (4,249 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Helena, MT has an unusually high number of Public Administration (3.65 times higher than expected), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (1.84 times), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.63 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Helena, MT, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($86,369), Utilities ($84,432), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($63,109).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Montana to other states, or from other states to Montana.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Montana product (by dollars) was Crude petroleum with $5.84B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($5.26B) and Gasoline ($3.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Montana products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Montana.

$45.7B

2020 Value in Montana

$81.1B

Projected 2050 Value in Montana

77.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound Montana trade was $45.7B. This is expected to increase 77.7% to $81.1B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Montana trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Montana to other states, or from other states to Montana.

Most Common Trade Partners

Idaho
$2.74B
North Dakota
$2.34B
Washington
$2.32B

In 2020, the top outbound Montana domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Idaho with $2.74B, followed by North Dakota with $2.34B and Washington and $2.32B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Montana shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 56.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (40.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.53%). The most partisan county was Garfield County, MT with 94% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Jon Tester and Steve Daines are the senators currently representing the state of Montana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Helena, MT is currently represented by Matt Rosendale in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Helena, MT. Showing the available data for Montana.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (40.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.53%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 56.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (40.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.53%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Montana for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Montana.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Montana

56.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Montana

Garfield County, MT
94% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Carter County, MT
89.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Fallon County, MT
87.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Montana was Garfield County, MT with 94% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Montana colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Montana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

Jon Tester

Senator from Montana

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Steve Daines

Senator from Montana

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Jon Tester and Steve Daines are the senators currently representing Montana.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Montana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Helena, MT

Matt Rosendale

Montana at-large Representative

Republican Party

Helena, MT is currently represented by Matt Rosendale (Republican Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Helena, MT have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Helena, MT awarded 597 degrees. The student population of Helena, MT is skewed towards women, with 992 male students and 1,440 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Helena, MT are White (497 and 83.7%), followed by Unknown (49 and 8.25%), Hispanic or Latino (19 and 3.2%), and Two or More Races (13 and 2.19%).

The largest universities in Helena, MT by number of degrees awarded are Carroll College (366 and 61.3%) and Helena College University of Montana (231 and 38.7%).

The most popular majors in Helena, MT are General Studies (68 and 11.4%), Registered Nursing (68 and 11.4%), and Accounting (34 and 5.7%).

The median tuition cost in Helena, MT for private four year colleges is $36,182.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Health Services
28 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
38 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
32 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Helena, MT was General Health Services with 28 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Helena, MT according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Carroll College
366 degrees awarded
Helena College University of Montana
231 degrees awarded

$36,182

Median Private

In 2020, the Helena, MT institution with the largest number of graduating students was Carroll College with 366 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

246

Degrees Awarded to Men

351

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 246 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Helena, MT, which is 0.701 times less than the 351 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Helena, MT by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
497 degrees awarded
Unknown
49 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
19 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Helena, MT was White students. These 497 degrees mean that there were 10.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 49 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Helena, MT was $248,400 in 2019, which is 1.03 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $235,900 to $248,400, a 5.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Helena, MT is 71.5%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Helena, MT have an average commute time of 16.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Helena, MT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$248,400

2019 Median

± $4,623

$235,900

2018 Median

± $3,727

In 2019, the median property value in Helena, MT grew to to $248,400 from the previous year's value of $235,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Helena, MT compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Helena, MT the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$66,419

Median Household Income

± $2,775

32.4k

Number of Households

± 1,130

In 2019, the median household income of the 32.4k households in Helena, MT grew to $66,419 from the previous year's value of $62,755.

The following chart displays the households in Helena, MT distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$2k - $3k

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Helena, MT distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Helena, MT the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

Rent vs Own

71.5%

2019 Homeownership

70.8%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 71.5% of the housing units in Helena, MT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Helena, MT compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

16.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Helena, MT have a shorter commute time (16.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.41% of the workforce in Helena, MT have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Helena, MT compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (77.3%)
Carpooled (10.7%)
Worked At Home (5.69%)

In 2019, 77.3% of workers in Helena, MT drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.7%) and those who worked at home (5.69%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Helena, MT distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Helena, MT have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

94.2% of the population of Helena, MT has health coverage, with 49.2% on employee plans, 12.7% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 16.8% on non-group plans, and 3.04% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Montana was $8,221 in 2014. This is a 2.84% increase from the previous year ($7,994).

Primary care physicians in Montana see 1240 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.641% decrease from the previous year (1248 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1356 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 316 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Roosevelt County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.9%). Additionally, Hill County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

1,240 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Montana

Primary care physicians in Montana see an average of 1,240 patients per year. This represents a 0.641% decrease from the previous year (1,248 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Montana in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

$8,221

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Montana

$3,882

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,378

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,238

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Montana (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 2.84%, from $7,994 to $8,221.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.78%

Uninsured

49.2%

Employer Coverage

12.7%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

16.8%

Non-Group

3.04%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Helena, MT declined by 11.2% from 6.51% to 5.78%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Helena, MT changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.