Helena-West Helena, AR

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

16,923

6.77% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

39.3

0.506% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

33.3%

6.34% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$32,235

4.42% 1-year decline

2021 Median Property Value

$73,400

9.16% 1-year decline

2021 Employed Population

5,525

12.3% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Helena-West Helena, AR had a population of 16.9k people with a median age of 39.3 and a median household income of $32,235. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Helena-West Helena, AR declined from 18,151 to 16,923, a −6.77% decrease and its median household income declined from $33,724 to $32,235, a −4.42% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Helena-West Helena, AR are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (63.2%), White (Non-Hispanic) (34%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (0.715%), White (Hispanic) (0.662%), and Black or African American (Hispanic) (0.615%).

None of the households in Helena-West Helena, AR reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

100% of the residents in Helena-West Helena, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Helena-West Helena, AR are Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (453 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Helena-West Helena, AR was $73,400, and the homeownership rate was 52.6%.

Most people in Helena-West Helena, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Helena-West Helena, AR was 2 cars per household.

Helena-West Helena, AR borders Clarksdale, MS, Cleveland, MS, and Memphis, TN-MS-AR.

United States Arkansas

Population & Diversity

Helena-West Helena, AR is home to a population of 16.9k people, from which 100% are citizens. As of 2021, 0.42% of Helena-West Helena, AR residents were born outside of the country (71 people).

In 2021, there were 1.86 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (10.7k people) in Helena-West Helena, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.76k White (Non-Hispanic) and 121 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

100%

2021 Citizenship

100%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 100% of Helena-West Helena, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Helena-West Helena, AR was 100%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Helena-West Helena, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Helena-West Helena, AR

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
10.7k ± 74
White (Non-Hispanic)
5.76k ± 50
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
121 ± 89.3

2.02%

Hispanic Population

342 people

2.02% of the people in Helena-West Helena, AR are hispanic (342 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Helena-West Helena, AR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,153 ± 6,057 people
El Salvador
16,156 ± 3,112 people
India
9,838 ± 2,431 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 62,153 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 16,156 and India with 9,838.

Foreign-Born Population

0.42%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

71 people

0.512%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

93 people

As of 2021, 0.42% of Helena-West Helena, AR residents (71 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Helena-West Helena, AR was 0.512%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Helena-West Helena, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
334 ± 128
Gulf War (1990s)
56 ± 42
Gulf War (2001-)
47 ± 41

Helena-West Helena, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 5.96 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Helena-West Helena, AR employs 5.53k people. The largest industries in Helena-West Helena, AR are Retail Trade (935 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (908 people), and Manufacturing (715 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($202,604), Utilities ($61,130), and Wholesale Trade ($59,914).

Males in Arkansas have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,055. The income inequality in Arkansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.45, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

5.53k

2021 Value

± 576

−12.3%

1 Year decline

± 16.5%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Helena-West Helena, AR declined at a rate of −12.3%, from 6.3k employees to 5.53k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Helena-West Helena, AR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (717 people), Sales & Related Occupations (632 people), and Management Occupations (486 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Helena-West Helena, AR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Arkansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

5.53k

2021 Value

± 576

−12.3%

1 Year decline

± 16.5%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Helena-West Helena, AR declined at a rate of −12.3%, from 6.3k employees to 5.53k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Helena-West Helena, AR, are Retail Trade (935 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (908 people), and Manufacturing (715 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Helena-West Helena, AR, though some of these residents may live in Helena-West Helena, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$37,448

Median earning men ± $3,956

$28,649

Median earning women ± $4,571

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($60,239), Wholesale Trade ($59,914), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($50,750).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($43,004), Manufacturing ($40,578), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($37,838).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Arkansas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Arkansas.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

153
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
94
Retail Trade
89
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$132k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$33.5k
Manufacturing
$31.3k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $14.8B, followed by Mixed freight ($14.6B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($9.99B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Arkansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Arkansas.

$142B

2020 Value in Arkansas

$271B

Projected 2050 Value in Arkansas

90.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound Arkansas trade was $142B. This is expected to increase 90.7% to $271B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Arkansas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$11.3B
Mississippi
$7.08B
Oklahoma
$5.91B

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $11.3B, followed by Mississippi with $7.08B and Oklahoma and $5.91B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Arkansas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Arkansas went to Donald J. Trump with 62.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (34.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.08%).

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing the state of Arkansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Helena-West Helena, AR. Showing the available data for Arkansas.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (62.4%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (34.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.08%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Arkansas went to Donald J. Trump with 62.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (34.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.08%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Arkansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Arkansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

John Boozman

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tom Cotton

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing Arkansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Arkansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Arkansas

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Arkansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Helena-West Helena, AR awarded 453 degrees. The student population of Helena-West Helena, AR in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 474 male students and 815 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Helena-West Helena, AR are White (220 and 48.6%), followed by Black or African American (205 and 45.3%), Hispanic or Latino (16 and 3.53%), and Two or More Races (7 and 1.55%).

The largest universities in Helena-West Helena, AR by number of degrees awarded are Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (453 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Helena-West Helena, AR are Liberal Arts & Sciences (94 and 20.8%), Welding Technology (69 and 15.2%), and Early Childhood Education & Teaching (29 and 6.4%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,289 students enrolled in Helena-West Helena, AR, 36.8% men and 63.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 610 records, of which 60.5% were women and 39.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
51 degree-majors awarded
Early Childhood Education & Teaching
17 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
14 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Helena-West Helena, AR was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 51 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Helena-West Helena, AR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

453 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas with 453 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 216 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Helena-West Helena, AR, which is 0.911 times less than the 237 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 220 degrees mean that there were 1.07 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 205 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,580) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($830) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

Measure

In 2021, 0.862% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.801% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (802k), Some college (542k), and Secondary Education (364k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Helena-West Helena, AR was $73,400 in 2021, which is 0.3 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $80,800 to $73,400, a 9.16% decrease. The homeownership rate in Helena-West Helena, AR is 52.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Helena-West Helena, AR have an average commute time of 17.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Helena-West Helena, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Helena-West Helena, AR is $32,235. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Helena-West Helena, AR was Benton County, AR with a value of $76,887, followed by Saline County, AR and Lonoke County, AR, with respective values of $68,605 and $62,561.

Housing

Property

$73,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$11,449

$3,322

Median Property Taxes

±$386

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Helena-West Helena, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Helena-West Helena, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

52.6%

Homeownership

2021

57.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 52.6% of the housing units in Helena-West Helena, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 46.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Helena-West Helena, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Helena-West Helena, AR was Benton County, AR with a value of $76,887, followed by Saline County, AR and Lonoke County, AR, with respective values of $68,605 and $62,561.

The following map shows all of the counties in Helena-West Helena, AR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$32,235

Median Household Income

± $5,634

6.32k

Number of Households

± 574

In 2021, the median household income of the 6.32k households in Helena-West Helena, AR declined from $32,235 from the previous year's value of $33,724.

The following chart displays the households in Helena-West Helena, AR distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Helena-West Helena, AR is from Arkansas.

0.45

2021 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2021, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0627% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Arkansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Arkansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (85.7%)
Carpooled (8.36%)
Worked At Home (2.51%)

In 2021, 85.7% of workers in Helena-West Helena, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.36%) and those who worked at home (2.51%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

17.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Helena-West Helena, AR have a shorter commute time (17.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.58% of the workforce in Helena-West Helena, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Helena-West Helena, AR compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Helena-West Helena, AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Helena-West Helena, AR have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

33.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Helena-West Helena, AR (5.6k out of 16.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males < 5, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Helena-West Helena, AR is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

92.7% of the population of Helena-West Helena, AR has health coverage, with 24.9% on employee plans, 42.5% on Medicaid, 13.3% on Medicare, 10.1% on non-group plans, and 1.85% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Arkansas see 1471 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.39% decrease from the previous year (1507 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2087 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 399 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

1,471 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Arkansas

Primary care physicians in Arkansas see an average of 1,471 patients per year. This represents a 2.39% decrease from the previous year (1,507 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Arkansas in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28% under 18 years, 17.6% between 18 and 34 years, 35.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45% were men and 55% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.3%

Uninsured

24.9%

Employer Coverage

42.5%

Medicaid

13.3%

Medicare

10.1%

Non-Group

1.85%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Helena-West Helena, AR declined by 3.28% from 7.54% to 7.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Helena-West Helena, AR changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.