Helena, Montana Income Statistics
Helena Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
B
Helena Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Helena | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,465 | $72,476 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,430 | $54,706 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.0% | 10.8% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 9.7% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Helena is about 1% higher than in Montana. Income has been growing slower in Helena (3.9%/yr) than in Montana (5.2%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Helena earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Montana average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Helena, Montana grew by 68.2% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $73,465 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Helena
| Metric | Helena | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.508 | 0.523 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $72,481 | $64,583 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $57,960 | $50,364 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.0% | 22.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Helena, it is 0.508, lower than Montana's 0.523, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 25% more than women's income in Helena, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $508,235 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Helena, Montana has widened from about 18% to 20% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 21% in 2023, and was narrowest at 6% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,607 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Helena widened by 1.6 points while Montana's narrowed by 6.2 points.
Employment
| Metric | Helena | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 16.2% | 12.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 367 people are unemployed in Helena, Montana.
The average commute time in Helena is 12 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Helena, Montana has fallen from 4.9% to 3.4% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 5.0% in 2012 and fell as low as 2.6% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Helena, Montana has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Montana, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Helena, Montana.
How Rich Is Helena, Montana?
Helena has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $73,465, about 1% higher than the Montana average of $72,476.
How fast is household income rising in Helena, Montana?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Helena, Montana rose 68%, from $43,680 to $73,465. Over the same years, income here kept pace with Montana as a whole: +68% against +68%.
What was the median household income in Helena in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Helena, Montana was $72,322, up 8% from $67,008 in 2022. The Montana median that year was $69,624.
What was the median household income in Helena in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Helena, Montana was $63,004. By 2024 it had risen 17% to $73,465.
What is the Gini coefficient in Helena, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Helena is 0.508. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Helena, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Helena, Montana has widened from about 18% to 20% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 21% in 2023, and was narrowest at 6% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,607 since 2009.
Analyze any area in the US
Get local demographics for any address, aggregated by drive time or radius, on the interactive map.
Explore the map →