Population 5,135 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Helena Valley Northwest
Household size in Helena Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.65 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.96 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.90 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.03 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.37 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Helena Valley Northwest are large by national standards, averaging 3.03 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.65, even as the national average fell.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.8 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.4 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.7 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Helena Valley Northwest is 36.7 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 31.5 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Helena Valley Northwest: 7.9% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The picture is much the same across Montana. The single-parent share is down 3.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Valley Northwest
Renters in Helena Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Helena Valley Northwest is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 5.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About one in seven owners (14.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 3.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 3.5% of homes in Helena Valley Northwest are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 7.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1997 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2000 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1999 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2000 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +7 | +6 |
Helena Valley Northwest has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2000, versus 1980 nationally.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,083 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,127 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,137 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,495 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$412 | +$487 | +$606 |
The median renter in Helena Valley Northwest pays $1,495 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in Montana overall ($1,189). Rents are up $412 a month from 2006–10, a 38% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 17.6% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Valley Northwest
Bachelor's degrees in Helena Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.2% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 38.9% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.2% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.6% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Helena Valley Northwest (35.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, the same as the national share. The share with a degree has risen 5.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.9% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.1% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.1% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.7% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Helena Valley Northwest: 94.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Montana as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Valley Northwest
| Period | Helena Valley Northwest | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.5% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.1% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.2% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Helena Valley Northwest runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has risen 2.6 points, even as the national rate fell. 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 Valley Northwest 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 Valley Northwest | 3.03 | 36.7 | 7.9% | 5.1% | 3.5% | 2000 | $1,495 | 35.6% | 94.7% | 4.2% |
| Helena Valley Northeast | 2.68 | 48.2 | 3.3% | 2.2% | 14.3% | 1994 | $1,153 | 42.5% | 90.9% | 1.8% |
| Helena Valley West Central | 2.66 | 39.6 | 7.8% | 24.5% | 2.7% | 1988 | $1,377 | 41.9% | 96.8% | 4.3% |
| Fort Harrison | 2.43 | 47.3 | 4.4% | 9.5% | 8.2% | 1994 | $1,280 | 53.6% | 94.6% | 1.7% |
| Helena West Side | 2.26 | 44.0 | 6.9% | 26.4% | 6.9% | 1984 | $1,114 | 55.1% | 94.0% | 0.2% |
| Helena | 2.15 | 41.9 | 9.0% | 44.2% | 7.0% | 1976 | $1,150 | 49.4% | 95.4% | 3.1% |
| Helena Valley Southeast | 2.73 | 38.7 | 16.6% | 16.3% | 6.1% | 1989 | $1,124 | 29.2% | 93.3% | 5.4% |
| Canyon Creek | 2.26 | 51.9 | 5.6% | 10.4% | 12.1% | 1993 | $839 | 36.4% | 95.6% | 0.9% |
| East Helena | 2.32 | 43.3 | 7.5% | 18.0% | 9.8% | 1991 | $1,202 | 36.0% | 97.3% | 1.4% |
| Marysville | 2.10 | 53.7 | 3.3% | 12.9% | 12.4% | 1994 | $680 | 37.2% | 97.2% | 1.4% |
| Montana City | 2.81 | 40.7 | 5.8% | 5.8% | 3.4% | 1994 | $1,098 | 44.3% | 96.3% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Sylvania, GA · Thiells, NY · Shelby, MI · Shenandoah, IA · Shenandoah, PA · West Hazleton, PA · Telford, TN · Teague, TX · Sherman, IL · Shermans Dale, PA
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 Valley Northwest. 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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