Population 25,783 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Helena
Household size in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.82 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.86 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.88 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.91 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Helena are large by national standards, averaging 2.91 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.82, even as the national average fell. Only 13 of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.9 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.1 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.8 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.3 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Helena is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 38.3, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.9, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Helena: 6.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.0 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Helena
Renters in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 7.5% of households in Helena rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 24.1% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the north. Of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people, only five have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.2% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Helena is close to the national rate: 8.6% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in the Birmingham area overall (11.6%). Vacancy is up 2.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1997 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1997 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1998 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2003 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Helena has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2003, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1997 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the southeast. Only nine of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,062 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,436 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,736 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,920 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$859 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
Rent in Helena runs $1,920 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $859 a month since 2006–10, up 81%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 31.0% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only one other Alabama city with 5,000+ people has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Helena
Bachelor's degrees in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.4% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 45.5% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.5% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 54.8% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Helena: 54.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 8.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people, only nine have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.4% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.5% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.6% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.5% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Helena: 97.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Helena
| Period | Helena | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.5% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Helena has been strong: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Helena compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 2.91 | 38.3 | 6.8% | 7.5% | 8.6% | 2003 | $1,920 | 54.8% | 97.5% | 2.3% |
| Maylene | 3.08 | 39.1 | 10.4% | 7.0% | 2.7% | 2002 | $1,275 | 42.5% | 96.2% | 1.6% |
| Pelham | 2.58 | 40.9 | 11.2% | 17.7% | 4.8% | 1996 | $1,370 | 45.4% | 94.8% | 2.2% |
| Alabaster | 2.72 | 38.1 | 11.2% | 16.2% | 6.1% | 1993 | $1,475 | 37.7% | 93.1% | 3.9% |
| Hoover | 2.52 | 39.9 | 9.0% | 32.7% | 7.4% | 1992 | $1,535 | 60.9% | 96.7% | 3.1% |
| Ryan | 2.51 | 44.5 | 4.2% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1999 | $1,751 | 41.9% | 94.4% | 6.2% |
| Bessemer | 2.53 | 40.5 | 15.9% | 34.0% | 12.4% | 1978 | $1,226 | 24.3% | 87.9% | 5.3% |
| Indian Springs Village | 2.99 | 40.3 | 8.3% | 9.8% | 5.7% | 1985 | $1,636 | 63.8% | 95.0% | 2.8% |
| Saginaw | 2.94 | 32.5 | 11.0% | 31.3% | 17.6% | 1995 | $957 | 26.8% | 81.8% | 6.3% |
| Dargin | 3.08 | 33.3 | 11.0% | 22.7% | 17.7% | 1994 | $1,035 | 28.7% | 81.4% | 4.4% |
| Kimbrell | 2.82 | 42.5 | 5.3% | 6.7% | 13.9% | 1997 | $1,554 | 25.6% | 95.3% | 1.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Perkasie, PA · Mequon, WI · Muskego, WI · Natchitoches, LA · New Caney, TX · New Philadelphia, OH · Newport, RI · Norton Shores, MI · Oakland, CT · Palatka, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Helena. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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