Helena, MT

Census Place

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2019 Population

32,024

2.6% 1-year growth

US Senator

Jon Tester

Democratic Party

US Senator

Steve Daines

Republican Party

US Representative

Matt Rosendale

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

40.1

0.496% 1-year decrease

2019 Poverty Rate

13.7%

12.3% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$61,324

9.08% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$244,300

5.3% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

16,630

3.16% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Helena, MT had a population of 32k people with a median age of 40.1 and a median household income of $61,324. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Helena, MT grew from 31,212 to 32,024, a 2.6% increase and its median household income grew from $56,221 to $61,324, a 9.08% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Helena, MT are White (Non-Hispanic) (90.6%), White (Hispanic) (3.14%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.5%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.08%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.887%). 0% of the households in Helena, MT speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

99.4% of the residents in Helena, MT are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Helena, MT are Carroll College (369 degrees awarded in 2019) and Helena College University of Montana (289 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Helena, MT was $244,300, and the homeownership rate was 55.2%. Most people in Helena, MT drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 12 minutes. The average car ownership in Helena, MT was 2 cars per household.

United States Montana Lewis and Clark County, MT Helena, MT Butte-Silver Bow & Helena City PUMA, MT

Diversity

Helena, MT is home to a population of 32k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2019, 1.33% of Helena, MT residents were born outside of the country (426 people).

In 2019, there were 28.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29k people) in Helena, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1k White (Hispanic) and 802 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Helena, MT

White (Non-Hispanic)
29k ± 302
White (Hispanic)
1k ± 258
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
802 ± 212

4.31%

Hispanic Population

1.38k people

4.31% of the people in Helena, MT are hispanic (1.38k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.33%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

426 people

1.39%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

434 people

As of 2019, 1.33% of Helena, MT residents (426 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 1.39%, 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

± 1.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 7.6

In 2019, the median age of all people in Helena, MT was 40.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in Helena, MT are getting getting younger. In 2018, the average age of all Helena, MT residents was 40.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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

99.4%

2019 Citizenship

99.5%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99.4% 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 decreasing.

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
932 ± 191
Gulf War (2001-)
615 ± 198
Gulf War (1990s)
363 ± 159

Helena, MT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.52 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 $61,324. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Helena, MT was Census Tract 10 with a value of $70,735, followed by Census Tract 9 and Census Tract 8, with respective values of $49,632 and $45,573.

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 16.6k people. The largest industries in Helena, MT are Public Administration (2,955 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,373 people), and Educational Services (1,560 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,156), Finance & Insurance ($63,173), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,795).

Wages

Median Household Income

$61,324

2019 value

± $4,942

9.08%

1 Year Growth

± 8.44%

Households in Helena, MT have a median annual income of $61,324, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $56,221 in 2018, which represents a 9.08% 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 Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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 gender-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 Place 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)

Census Tract 10
Census Tract 9
Census Tract 8

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Helena, MT was Census Tract 10 with a value of $70,735, followed by Census Tract 9 and Census Tract 8, with respective values of $49,632 and $45,573.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

13.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Helena, MT (4.2k out of 30.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher 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
3,647 ± 479
Hispanic
655 ± 220
Two Or More
278 ± 157

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

16.6k

2019 Value

± 944

3.16%

1 Year growth

± 7.89%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Helena, MT grew at a rate of 3.16%, from 16.1k employees to 16.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Helena, MT, are Management Occupations (1,779 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,702 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,466 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 Management Occupations (1,779 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,702 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,466 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Helena, MT has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.51 times higher than expected), Legal Occupations (2.27 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.71 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Helena, MT, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($73,929), Protective Service Occupations ($71,302), and Legal Occupations ($70,536).

Industries

Employment by Industries

16.6k

2019 Value

± 944

3.16%

1 Year growth

± 7.89%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Helena, MT grew at a rate of 3.16%, from 16.1k employees to 16.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Helena, MT, are Public Administration (2,955 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,373 people), and Educational Services (1,560 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 (2,955 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,373 people), and Educational Services (1,560 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Helena, MT has an unusually high number of Public Administration (3.85 times higher than expected), Information (1.26 times), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (1.23 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Helena, MT, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($70,156), Finance & Insurance ($63,173), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,795).

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

Crude petroleum
$12.5B
Gasoline
$6.36B
Fuel oils
$6.21B

In 2018, the top outbound Montana product (by dollars) was Crude petroleum with $12.5B, followed by Gasoline ($6.36B) and Fuel oils ($6.21B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Montana.

$58.6B

2018 Value in Montana

$93.8B

Projected 2045 Value in Montana

59.9% growth

In 2018, total outbound Montana trade was $58.6B. This is expected to increase 59.9% to $93.8B by 2045.

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

Colorado
$4.03B
Wyoming
$3.67B
Idaho
$3.48B

In 2018, the top outbound Montana domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Colorado with $4.03B, followed by Wyoming with $3.67B and Idaho and $3.48B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Lewis and Clark County, MT went to Donald J. Trump with 49% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (42%), followed by Other (9.01%). The most partisan county was Garfield County, MT with 90.9% 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 Lewis and Clark County, MT.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (42%)
Democratic Party
Other (9.01%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 49% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (42%), followed by Other (9.01%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Montana for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Lewis and Clark County, MT

49% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Montana

Garfield County, MT
90.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Petroleum County, MT
86.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Carter County, MT
86.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Montana was Garfield County, MT with 90.9% 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 2019, universities in Helena, MT awarded 658 degrees. The student population of Helena, MT is skewed towards women, with 1,101 male students and 1,553 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Helena, MT are White (566 and 86.8%), followed by Unknown (32 and 4.91%), Hispanic or Latino (20 and 3.07%), and Two or More Races (15 and 2.3%).

The largest universities in Helena, MT by number of degrees awarded are Carroll College (369 and 56.1%) and Helena College University of Montana (289 and 43.9%).

The most popular majors in Helena, MT are Registered Nursing (76 and 11.6%), General Studies (74 and 11.2%), and Accounting (43 and 6.53%).

The median tuition cost in Helena, MT for private four year colleges is $35,300.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
26 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
46 degree-majorss awarded
General Health Services
27 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Helena, MT was General Biological Sciences with 26 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
369 degrees awarded
Helena College University of Montana
289 degrees awarded

$35,300

Median Private

In 2019, the Helena, MT institution with the largest number of graduating students was Carroll College with 369 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

286

Degrees Awarded to Men

372

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 286 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Helena, MT, which is 0.769 times less than the 372 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
566 degrees awarded
Unknown
32 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
20 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Helena, MT was White students. These 566 degrees mean that there were 17.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 32 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Helena, MT was $244,300 in 2019, which is 1.02 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $232,000 to $244,300, a 5.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Helena, MT is 55.2%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Helena, MT have an average commute time of 12 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

$244,300

2019 Median

± $7,068

$232,000

2018 Median

± $6,040

In 2019, the median property value in Helena, MT grew to to $244,300 from the previous year's value of $232,000.

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.

$61,324

Median Household Income

± $4,942

14.1k

Number of Households

± 827

In 2019, the median household income of the 14.1k households in Helena, MT grew to $61,324 from the previous year's value of $56,221.

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

55.2%

2019 Homeownership

54%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 55.2% of the housing units in Helena, MT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 54%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower 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

12 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Helena, MT have a shorter commute time (12 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.04% 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 (74.6%)
Carpooled (9.05%)
Walked (6.92%)

In 2019, 74.6% of workers in Helena, MT drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.05%) and those who walked to work (6.92%).

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

95.5% of the population of Helena, MT has health coverage, with 51.3% on employee plans, 13.9% on Medicaid, 13.1% on Medicare, 14.5% on non-group plans, and 2.63% 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 Lewis and Clark County, MT see 1057 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.77% decrease from the previous year (1076 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1177 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 206 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 country level. Showing data for Lewis and Clark County, MT.

1,057 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lewis and Clark County, MT

Primary care physicians in Lewis and Clark County, MT see an average of 1,057 patients per year. This represents a 1.77% decrease from the previous year (1,076 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lewis and Clark County, MT 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

4.49%

Uninsured

51.3%

Employer Coverage

13.9%

Medicaid

13.1%

Medicare

14.5%

Non-Group

2.63%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Helena, MT declined by 16.6% from 5.38% to 4.49%.

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.