Helena, AL Demographics

A map of Helena's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	15,231	15,149	70.0%	72.4%
Black	3,921	3,382	18.0%	16.2%
Hispanic	1,031	1,016	4.7%	4.9%
Multiracial	790	915	3.6%	4.4%
Asian	555	327	2.5%	1.6%
Native American/Other	241	125	1.1%	0.6%

Helena, Alabama has an estimated population of 21,769, an increase from the 20,914 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.0% White, 18.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic, 3.6% Multiracial, 2.5% Asian, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Helena, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Helena has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Alabama overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Helena, that probability was 44.5% in 2020 and 47.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Helena is ranked the 31st most populous place in Alabama, out of 594 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Helena was ranked the 31st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Helena's White Population

15,231 residents of Helena, or 70.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Helena is higher than in Alabama overall, where 63.4% of the population is White. Helena ranks 321st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Helena's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Helena's population has decreased from 72.4% to 70.0%.

Helena is more White than neighboring Alabaster (67.1% White), Hoover (68.1% White), Pelham (67.2% White), and Bessemer (20.5% White). Helena is less White than neighboring Brantleyville (88.8% White).

Helena's Black Population

3,921 residents of Helena, or 18.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Helena is lower than in Alabama overall, where 25.6% of the population is Black. Helena ranks 272nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Helena's Black population has grown by an estimated 15.9%. Black residents' share of Helena's population has increased from 16.2% to 18.0%.

Helena is more Black than neighboring Brantleyville (2.7% Black), Alabaster (16.1% Black), and Pelham (11.3% Black). Helena is less Black than neighboring Hoover (18.5% Black), and Bessemer (66.6% Black).

Helena's Asian Population

555 residents of Helena, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Helena is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Helena ranks 57th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Helena's Asian population has grown by an estimated 69.7%. Asian residents' share of Helena's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.5%.

Helena is more Asian than neighboring Brantleyville (0% Asian), Alabaster (1.1% Asian), and Bessemer (0% Asian). Helena is less Asian than neighboring Hoover (5.9% Asian), and Pelham (3.1% Asian).

Helena's Hispanic Population

1,031 residents of Helena, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Helena is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 5.6% of the population is Hispanic. Helena ranks 130th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Helena's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Helena's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Helena is more Hispanic than neighboring Hoover (4.6% Hispanic). Helena is less Hispanic than neighboring Brantleyville (6.7% Hispanic), Alabaster (12.4% Hispanic), Pelham (13.9% Hispanic), and Bessemer (10.4% Hispanic).

Helena's Native American/Other Population

241 residents of Helena, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Helena is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Helena ranks 309th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Helena's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 92.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Helena's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.1%.

Helena is more Native American/Other than neighboring Brantleyville (0.1% Native American/Other), Alabaster (0.7% Native American/Other), Hoover (0.4% Native American/Other), and Bessemer (0.4% Native American/Other). Helena is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pelham (1.2% Native American/Other).

Helena's Multiracial Population

790 residents of Helena, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Helena is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 3.3% of the population is Multiracial. Helena ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Helena's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 13.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Helena's population has decreased from 4.4% to 3.6%.

Helena is more Multiracial than neighboring Brantleyville (1.7% Multiracial), Alabaster (2.6% Multiracial), Hoover (2.5% Multiracial), Pelham (3.3% Multiracial), and Bessemer (2.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.