Helena, MT

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Population

30,345

0.807% growth

Median Age

40.8


Median Household Income

$53,892

3.07% growth

Poverty Rate

15.6%


Number of Employees

15,880

2.84% growth

Median Property Value

$220,100

5.06% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Helena, MT had a population of 30.3k people with a median age of 40.8 and a median household income of $53,892. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Helena, MT grew from 30,102 to 30,345, a 0.807% increase and its median household income grew from $52,288 to $53,892, a 3.07% increase.

The population of Helena, MT is 90.4% White Alone, 3.82% Hispanic or Latino, and 2.58% Two or More Races. N/A% of the people in Helena, MT speak a non-English language, and 99.5% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Helena, MT are Carroll College (309 degrees awarded in 2017) and Helena College University of Montana (259 degrees).

The median property value in Helena, MT is $220,100, and the homeownership rate is 54.4%. Most people in Helena, MT commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 11.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Helena, MT is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Jeff Krause

United StatesMontanaLewis and Clark County, MTHelena, MTButte-Silver Bow & Helena City PUMA, MT

Economy

The economy of Helena, MT employs 15.9k people. The largest industries in Helena, MT are Public Administration (2,882 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,184 people), and Educational Services (1,573 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($59,315), Public Administration ($55,297), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($51,917).

Median household income in Helena, MT is $53,892. Males in Helena, MT have an average income that is 1.42 times higher than the average income of females, which is $39,968. The income inequality in Helena, MT (measured using the Gini index) is 0.465, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$53,892

2017 value

± $2,578

3.07%

1 Year Growth

± 6.72%

Households in Helena, MT have a median annual income of $53,892, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $52,288 in 2016, which represents a 3.07% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Helena, MT compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$56,921

Average Male Salary

± $3,007

$39,968

Average Female Salary

± $2,184

In 2017, full-time male employees in Montana made 1.42 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.

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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

  1. White

    $42,515 ± $1,780

  2. Other

    $39,395 ± $16,377

  3. Asian

    $33,231 ± $11,940

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Montana workers was White. These workers were paid 1.08 times more than Other workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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

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Wage Distribution

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

0.465

2017 Wage GINI

0.462

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Montana was 0.465 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.554% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Montana was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 10

  2. Census Tract 9

  3. Census Tract 8

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Helena, MT was Census Tract 10 with a value of $56,652, followed by Census Tract 9 and Census Tract 8, with respective values of $43,767 and $41,716.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Helena, MT (4.52k out of 29k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    4,008 ± 570

  2. Hispanic

    558 ± 183

  3. Native American

    240 ± 132

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

15.9k

2017 Value

± 893

2.84%

1 Year growth

± 7.8%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Helena, MT grew at a rate of 2.84%, from 15.4k employees to 15.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Helena, MT, are Management Occupations (1,903 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,803 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,388 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Helena, MT.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Helena, MT, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (1,903 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,803 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,388 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Helena, MT has an unusually high number of residents working as Legal Occupations (2.54 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.86 times), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1.72 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Helena, MT, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($74,375), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($71,500), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($70,156).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

15.9k

2017 Value

± 893

2.84%

1 Year growth

± 7.8%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Helena, MT grew at a rate of 2.84%, from 15.4k employees to 15.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Helena, MT, are Public Administration (2,882 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,184 people), and Educational Services (1,573 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Helena, MT, by number of employees, are Public Administration (2,882 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,184 people), and Educational Services (1,573 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Helena, MT has an unusually high number of Public Administration (3.89 times higher than expected), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (1.77 times), and Finance & Insurance (1.4 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Helena, MT, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($59,315), Public Administration ($55,297), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($51,917).

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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

  1. Coal-n.e.c.

    $7.36B

  2. Gasoline

    $6.5B

  3. Fuel oils

    $6.26B

In 2015, the top outbound Montana product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $7.36B, followed by Gasoline ($6.5B) and Fuel oils ($6.26B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Montana state.

$47.3B

2020 Value

$53.9B

Projected 2045 Value

13.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Montana trade was $47.3B. This is expected to increase 13.9% to $53.9B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. North Dakota

    $5.46B

  2. Wyoming

    $3.06B

  3. Idaho

    $3.03B

In 2015, the top outbound Montana domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Dakota with $5.46B, followed by Wyoming with $3.06B and Idaho and $3.03B.

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

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Health

93.1% of the population of Helena, MT has health coverage, with 50% on employee plans, 12.7% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 16% on non-group plans, and 1.94% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Helena, MT see 1308 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.305% decrease from the previous year (1312 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1416 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 378 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Glacier County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14.8%). Additionally, Big Horn County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (37.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,308 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Montana see an average of 1,308 patients per year. This represents a 0.305% decrease from the previous year (1,312 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

6.91%

Uninsured

50%

Employer Coverage

12.7%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

16%

Non-Group

1.94%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Helena, MT declined by 10.3% from 7.71% to 6.91%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Glacier County

    14.8% prevalence

  2. Big Horn County

    13.4% prevalence

  3. Roosevelt County

    12.3% prevalence

Glacier County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Montana, at 14.8%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Montana by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Helena, MT is home to a population of 30.3k people, from which 99.5% are citizens. As of 2017, 1.31% of Helena, MT residents were born outside of the country (399 people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Helena, MT is composed of 27.4k White Alone residents (90.4%), 1.16k Hispanic or Latino residents (3.82%), 783 Two or More Races residents (2.58%), 557 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (1.84%), 212 Asian Alone residents (0.699%), 159 Black or African American Alone residents (0.524%), 40 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.132%), and 0 Some Other Race Alone residents (0%).

Age

Age by Nativity

41

Median Native-Born Age

± 1.6

55

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 11.5

In 2017, the median age of all people in Helena, MT was 40.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 41, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 55. But people in Helena, MT are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Helena, MT residents was 42.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.31%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

399 people

1.47%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

441 people

As of 2017, 1.31% of Helena, MT residents (399 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Helena, MT was 1.47%, 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.

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Canada

    4,272 ± 1,601 people

  2. Mexico

    2,817 ± 1,301 people

  3. Philippines

    2,040 ± 1,108 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Montana was Canada, the natal country of 4,272 Montana residents, followed by Mexico with 2,817 and Philippines with 2,040.

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Citizenship

99.5%

2017 Citizenship

99.4%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 99.5% of Helena, MT residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Helena, MT was 99.4%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    27.4k ± 358

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    1.16k ± 279

  3. Two or More Races

    783 ± 234

In 2017, there were 23.6 times more White Alone residents (27.4k people) in Helena, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.16k Hispanic or Latino and 783 Two or More Races residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Helena, MT as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    799 ± 154

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    517 ± 147

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    220 ± 101

Helena, MT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.55 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Helena, MT awarded 568 degrees. The student population of Helena, MT is skewed towards women, with 1,174 male students and 1,610 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Helena, MT are White (474 and 83.7%), followed by Unknown (41 and 7.24%), Hispanic or Latino (23 and 4.06%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (12 and 2.12%).

The largest universities in Helena, MT by number of degrees awarded are Carroll College (309 and 54.4%) and Helena College University of Montana (259 and 45.6%).

The most popular majors in Helena, MT are Registered Nursing (63 and 11.1%), General Studies (55 and 9.68%), and General Health Services (36 and 6.34%).

The median tuition costs in Helena, MT are $33,500 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Registered Nursing

    41 degrees awarded

  2. General Health Services

    36 degrees awarded

  3. General Biological Sciences

    33 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Helena, MT was Registered Nursing with 41 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Carroll College

    309 degrees awarded

  2. Helena College University of Montana

    259 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$33,500

Median Private

In 2017, the Helena, MT institution with the largest number of graduating students was Carroll College with 309 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

247

Degrees Awarded to Men

321

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 247 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Helena, MT, which is 0.769 times less than the 321 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    474 degrees awarded

  2. Unknown

    41 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    23 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Helena, MT were to White students. These 474 degrees mean that there were 11.6 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 41 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Helena, MT was $220,100 in 2017, which is 0.958 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $209,500 to $220,100, a 5.06% increase. The homeownership rate in Helena, MT is 54.4%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Helena, MT have an average commute time of 11.6 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Helena, MT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$220,100

2017 Median

± $4,981

$209,500

2016 Median

± $5,731

In 2017, the median property value in Helena, MT grew to to $220,100 from the previous year's value of $209,500.

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.

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Household Income

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

$53,892

Median Household Income

± $2,578

13.6k

Number of Households

± 767

In 2017, the median household income of the 13.6k households in Helena, MT grew to $53,892 from the previous year's value of $52,288.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

54.4%

2017 Homeownership

54.7%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 54.4% of the housing units in Helena, MT were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 54.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Helena, MT compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

11.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Helena, MT have a shorter commute time (11.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 0.878% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    73.3%

  2. Carpooled

    9.36%

  3. Walked

    8.49%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Helena, MT was Drove Alone (73.3%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.36%) and those who Walked (8.49%).

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.

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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 1 car.

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