Population 7,836 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Helena-West Helena
Household size in Helena-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.67 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Helena-West Helena average 2.67 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Arkansas overall, where it has 2.53 people. Household size has crept up from 2.62 in 2006–10, 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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.3 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.9 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.6 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.1 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Helena-West Helena is 36.1 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has crept up from 35.3 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the center.
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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.8% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 21.9% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 22.2% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Helena-West Helena: 22.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.8 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Arkansas city with 5,000+ people has a higher 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-West Helena
Renters in Helena-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.8% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 57.2% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.5% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 56.9% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Helena-West Helena: 56.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 64.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 5.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Helena-West Helena has the highest share of renters of any Arkansas city with 5,000+ people.
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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.0% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.9% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Helena-West Helena: 28.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 10.5 points, 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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1968 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1972 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Housing in Helena-West Helena leans older: the median home dates to 1972, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1968 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Of the 101 Arkansas cities with 5,000+ people, only two have older 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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $533 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $648 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $567 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $865 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$332 | +$346 | +$606 |
Rent in Helena-West Helena runs $865 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $332 a month from 2006–10, a 62% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 39.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the north.
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-West Helena
Bachelor's degrees in Helena-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.4% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Helena-West Helena have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the west.
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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.2% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.5% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.1% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Helena-West Helena never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 9.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only eight of the 101 Arkansas cities with 5,000+ people have a lower 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-West Helena
| Period | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.4% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 20.3% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Helena-West Helena runs well above the national rate: 13.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Arkansas city with 5,000+ people has higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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-West 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-West Helena | 2.67 | 36.1 | 22.2% | 56.9% | 28.9% | 1972 | $865 | 15.2% | 81.5% | 13.7% |
| Helena Crossing | 2.63 | 41.2 | 13.8% | 54.9% | 15.5% | 1973 | $769 | 18.7% | 81.2% | 4.4% |
| Southland | 2.93 | 34.5 | 18.9% | 51.9% | 11.4% | 1979 | $795 | 11.7% | 74.5% | 13.2% |
| West Helena | 3.00 | 33.5 | 16.5% | 35.5% | 21.0% | 1981 | $865 | 18.1% | 81.1% | 7.6% |
| Helena | 2.46 | 43.6 | 13.6% | 53.9% | 20.2% | 1975 | $674 | 16.7% | 79.9% | 7.7% |
| Lexa | 2.52 | 39.1 | 22.4% | 39.7% | 21.5% | 1984 | $988 | 15.9% | 75.3% | 4.6% |
| Barton | 3.18 | 36.1 | 6.5% | 13.7% | 21.1% | 1984 | $850 | 20.8% | 84.0% | 0.6% |
| Lula | 2.07 | 50.8 | 5.5% | 37.7% | 29.2% | 1985 | $713 | 28.6% | 88.7% | 6.1% |
| Oneida | 2.25 | 54.7 | 10.8% | 48.3% | 33.5% | 1979 | $506 | 21.8% | 79.0% | 2.2% |
| Poplar Grove | 2.86 | 40.9 | 18.7% | 27.8% | 20.3% | 1980 | $815 | 16.0% | 88.1% | 20.4% |
| Jeffries | 2.67 | 49.1 | 14.0% | 17.9% | 7.5% | 1997 | $1,016 | 20.4% | 89.3% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Middlebury, VT · Mecca, CA · Mechanicstown, NY · Medford, WI · Medina, NY · Memphis, FL · Mendham, NJ · Mendota, IL · Meridianville, AL · Merrydale, LA
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-West 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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