Helena, MT Metro Area

Helena, MT · Metro Area

93,906Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $78,528
Median home value: $401,200
Land area: 6,308 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Lewis and Clark County, MT	Central	73,464	$78,237	$393,500
Jefferson County, MT	Outlying	12,774	$95,490	$446,900
Broadwater County, MT	Outlying	7,668	$70,374	$426,600

Largest cities and towns

28 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Helena, MT	City	33,639	$71,036
Helena Valley Southeast, MT	CDP	9,108	$74,075
Helena Valley West Central, MT	CDP	8,056	$90,082
Helena Valley Northwest, MT	CDP	5,183	$100,605
Helena Valley Northeast, MT	CDP	4,659	$140,517
Montana City, MT	CDP	3,092	$129,755
Townsend, MT	City	1,967	$70,752
Clancy, MT	CDP	1,874	$125,000
East Helena, MT	City	1,702	$60,417
Wheatland, MT	CDP	1,661	$123,277
Helena West Side, MT	CDP	1,417	$66,921
Boulder, MT	City	1,284	$72,500
Whitehall, MT	Town	1,156	$44,844
Lincoln, MT	CDP	908	$62,813
Spokane Creek, MT	CDP	740	$127,250
South Hills, MT	CDP	620	$168,235
The Silos, MT	CDP	579	$60,521
Jefferson City, MT	CDP	533	$125,682
Toston, MT	CDP	368	$63,206
Basin, MT	CDP	352	$46,597
Rader Creek, MT	CDP	310	$100,691
Radersburg, MT	CDP	207	—
Augusta, MT	CDP	165	$43,611
Marysville, MT	CDP	160	$99,167
Winston, MT	CDP	81	$58,159

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Unemployment

3.4%

College Educated

40.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$78,528

Mean Household Income

$105,667

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.8%

Female

50.2%

Population Split

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German24.2%

Irish16.4%

English16.0%

Italian3.5%

Scottish3.3%

French3.1%

Mexican2.3%

Polish1.9%

African0.1%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

1.7%Foreign Born

98.3%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized63.8%

Non-Citizen36.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later22.7%

Before 201077.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

42,667

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

Median Home Value

$401,200

Median Year Built

1984

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

19,905

College Enrollment

17.5%

High School

22.3%

College Educated

40.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

20.0 min

Drive Alone Rate

69.5%

Public Transit

0.2%

Work From Home

13.9%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.9%

18-34 Years

18.8%

35-64 Years

39.4%

65+ Years

20.9%

Population Composition

Under 1820.9%

18-3418.8%

35-6439.4%

65+20.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

51.4%

Single Parent

4.0%

Living Alone

30.3%

Avg Size

2.36

Household Types

Married Couples51.4%

Single Parent4.0%

Living Alone30.3%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$44,973

SNAP Usage

7.1%

Health Insurance

94.2%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k10.3%

$25k - $50k19.0%

$50k - $100k31.1%

$100k+39.6%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

3.2%

Retail Trade

9.6%

Education & Health Care

24.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.2%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.2%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.1%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.7%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

95.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

104.9

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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