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Helena, AL

Frequently asked questions

Helena, AL

Helena is a city in Jefferson and Shelby counties in the state of Alabama. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area.

Helena is highly regarded as a place to live and raise children; Business Week ranked the city as the 13th "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in 2007. It has the eighth-lowest crime rate per population in the U.S., and the city was ranked in Money magazine's 2007 list of "Best Places to Live: Top 100" in the U.S., placing at number 91. The Alabama League of Municipalities awarded Helena the 2008 Municipal Achievement Award (population 10,001 to 20,000).

The area was long the territory of the historic Muscogee people, known by English colonists as the Creek Indians. While Scots-Irish and English traders had interacted with them, and there was some armed conflict in the early 19th century, most European-American settlers did not come to this area until 1849. This was after the United States had conducted Indian Removal of the Creek and other Southeastern tribes in the 1830s, to lands west of the Mississippi River.

The major industries in Helena are diverse, ranging from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and education. The city's strategic location near Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama, contributes to its economic growth. The proximity to major transportation routes, including Interstate 65, enhances accessibility for businesses and residents alike. Helena's economy thrives on a mix of local businesses, services, and manufacturing activities, making it a dynamic and vibrant community.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Helena, with the presence of medical facilities such as the Helena Health Center. The city promotes an active lifestyle with several parks and recreational areas. There are also wellness centers such as the Renewal Therapeutic Massage & Wellness provide a tranquil environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. Southern Wellness & Rehab offers a comprehensive range of wellness services, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and fitness training. Pinnacle Behavioral Health specializes in mental health and wellness services. Fitness 1440 is a premier fitness center that emphasizes holistic wellness. Inner Strength Fitness & Wellness focuses on empowering individuals through fitness and wellness programs. Silver Linings Integrative Health provides a range of integrative health services, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, and wellness coaching.

Top Sites in Helena, AL are the Cathedral of St. Helena, Montana Historical Society, and Holter Museum of Art. 

Population: 21,560 (2020). ZIP code: 35080. Area code: 205. Elevation: 453 ft (138 m). Area: 22.38 sq mi (57.95 km2).

FAQs

What is the population growth of Helena, AL?

Helena is a city located in Shelby County Alabama. Helena has a 2024 population of 22,680. Helena is currently growing at a rate of 1.84% annually and its population has increased by 7.77% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 21,044 in 2020. The average household income in Helena is $130,619 with a poverty rate of 3.54%. The median rental costs in recent years come to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Helena is 38.2 years, 37.4 years for males, and 38.6 years for females.

What was Helena, AL's vital role in Birmingham?

Helena played a vital role in the Birmingham steel industry and growth which continued for many years. Besides the steel mill, Helena had several prosperous coal mines, a variety of retail stores, a couple of hotels and boarding houses as well as a school. Also operating was a large railroad yard, a grist mill powered by Buck Creek, and a cotton gin next to the train station. In 1916, it was learned certain errors made in filing papers for incorporation caused it to be invalid. As a result, the city was reincorporated in 1917. 

When were the Helena market days founded?

Helena Market Days was founded in 2009, Shelby Living magazine's "Best of the Best" farmers market for 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019. Helena Market Days is a venue for local farmers and producers to sell fresh vegetables, flowers, honey, bread, woodworking, handmade bread, peanut butter, jams, jellies, soaps, baked goods, and more. They have coffee and teas and something new all the time to sell directly to residents of Helena, Alabama, and its neighboring cities. They support local nonprofits by featuring a different non-profit each weekend for fundraising and mission awareness purposes. 

Sources

City of Helena

Wikipedia

Helena Market Days

Buck Creek

World Population Review

Cathedral of St. Helena

Montana Historical Society

Holter Museum of Art

Helena Health Center

Renewal Therapeutic Massage & Wellness

Southern Wellness & Rehab

Pinnacle Behavioral Health

Fitness 1440

Inner Strength Fitness & Wellness

Silver Linings Integrative Health

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