City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

East Helena, MT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for East Helena - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,855
Residents
$53,611
Median income
$254,400
Median home
$1,404
Median rent (state)

East Helena - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, East Helena lands in the 25th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
57th
percentile, home value
54th
percentile, median rent
36th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: East Helena, MT

1,855 people live in East Helena, Montana - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in East Helena brings in $53,611 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.3%. Typical homes in East Helena are valued around $254,400, and the median resident age is 35.9 years. Educational attainment runs 21.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 55 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Active). East Helena reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1813.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Montana scores 94.6 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,404 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Montana run around $175, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 21.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

1,855 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$53,611 /yr

Poverty 13.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does East Helena compare to other US cities?

East Helena measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 57% pricier than other cities
Median rent 54% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Montana and the picture shifts: East Helena ranks #23 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares East Helena against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Montana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Montana-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of Montana's city distribution

Among the 315 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, East Helena ranks #83 - the 74th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares East Helena only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#177 of 282
37th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#141 of 317
52nd percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#119 of 279
57th percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#83 of 315
74th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#157 of 317
50th percentile in Montana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Montana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

25thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

East Helena's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

East Helena's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
East Helena's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How East Helena's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$254,400 43rd percentile more affordable than 43% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. East Helena $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - East Helena, MT East Helena, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not East Helena, MT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution East Helena, MT median $53,611/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
East Helena, MT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for East Helena, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,855
Median Income
$53,611
Median Home Value
$254,400
Median Age
35.9
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Labor force participation
65.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1813.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
136.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1677.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,800 residents2,000 residents2,200 residents2,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,940 residents 2,325 residents ▲ +19.8%
East Helena's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Active
Total Permits (2024)
55
housing units authorized
Single-Family
55
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
29.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 1
2022 53
2023 55
2024 55

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.8%
Carpool
9.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.1%
Work from Home
9.1%
Other
13.4%

Based on 973 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Montana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$80
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$175
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Montana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Montana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county East Helena sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,404/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
21.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

South Browning
1,852 people
Malta
1,902 people
Pablo
1,808 people
Columbus
1,925 people
Lame Deer
1,939 people
Ronan
1,962 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to East Helena's 1,855 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Albany, MO
1,855 people
Crescent City, FL
1,856 people
Sneads, FL
1,854 people
Raymond, MS
1,856 people
Bent Creek, NC
1,854 people
Orwell, OH
1,854 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to East Helena's $53,611 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Villard, MN
$53,611 median income
Marion, NY
$53,611 median income
Andrews, SC
$53,611 median income
Jackson, OH
$53,609 median income
Freeport, TX
$53,606 median income
New Ringgold, PA
$53,603 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - East Helena, MT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition East Helena, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.5% White 92.3% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 2.4% American Indian 1.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 3.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How East Helena compares to nearby Montana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
East Helena (this city) 1,855 $53,611
South Browning 1,852 N/A
Malta 1,902 $59,449
Pablo 1,808 $38,430
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about East Helena, MT?

What is the population of East Helena, MT? +

The population of East Helena, MT stands at 1,855 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in East Helena, MT? +

Median annual household income in East Helena runs $53,611, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in East Helena? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for East Helena; the closest available measure is the Montana state average, a cost of living index of 94.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Montana vary by metro area.

Is East Helena, MT safe? +

East Helena has a total crime rate of 1813.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in East Helena, MT? +

Homes in East Helena carry a median value of $254,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.