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Helena, MT

Helena, MT

Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the seat of Lewis and Clark County. Helena was founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush, and established on October 30, 1864. Due to the gold rush, Helena became a wealthy city, with approximately 50 millionaires inhabiting the area by 1888. The concentration of wealth contributed to the city's prominent, elaborate Victorian architecture.

At the 2020 census Helena's population was 32,091, making it the 5th least populous state capital in the United States and the 6th most populous city in Montana. It is the principal city of the Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties; its population is 83,058 according to the 2020 Census. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The city is served by Helena Regional Airport (HLN).

Helena is located at 46°35′45″N 112°1′37″W (46.595805, −112.027031), at an altitude of 4,058 feet (1,237 m). Surrounding features include the Continental Divide, Mount Helena City Park, Spring Meadow Lake State Park, Lake Helena, Helena National Forest, the Big Belt Mountains, the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Scapegoat Wilderness, the Missouri River, Canyon Ferry Lake, Holter Lake, Hauser Lake, and the Elkhorn Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.39 square miles (42.45 km2), of which 16.35 square miles (42.35 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.

The Helena area was long inhabited by various indigenous peoples. Evidence from the McHaffie and Indian Creek sites on opposite sides of the Elkhorn Mountains southeast of the Helena Valley show that people of the Folsom culture lived in the area more than 10,000 years ago. Before the introduction of the horse 300 years ago, and since, other native peoples, including the Salish and the Blackfeet, visited the area seasonally on their nomadic rounds.

By the early 1800s, people of European descent from the United States and British Canada began arriving to work the streams of the Missouri River watershed looking for fur-bearing animals such as the beaver, undoubtedly bringing them through the area now known as the Helena Valley.

By 1888 about 50 millionaires lived in Helena, more per capita than in any city in the world. They had made their fortunes from gold. It is estimated about $3.6 billion in today's money was extracted from Helena during this period of time. The Last Chance Placer is one of the most famous placer deposits in the western United States. Most of the production occurred before 1868. Much of the placer is now under Helena's streets and buildings.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Helena, MT, with a network of healthcare facilities catering to residents' needs. St. Peter's Health, a leading medical center in the region, provides comprehensive healthcare services, including primary care, specialized treatments, and wellness programs. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Helena Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Crossroads Sports & Fitness and Premier Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Helena, such as the Mount Helena Trailhead and Dump Gulch Trailhead. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Helena, MT are Original Governor's Mansion, Montana State Capitol, Holter Museum of Art, and Great Northern Carousel.

Population: 34,729 (2024). ZIP Codes: 59601-59602, 59626; 59604, 59620, 59624 (P.O. Boxes); 59623, 59625 (organizations). Area code: 406. Elevation: 4,045 ft (1,233 m). Area: 16.90 sq mi (43.76 km2).

FAQs

What is special about Helena, Montana?

Helena is most famous as Montana’s Capital City. The charming town also sits directly between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks making it the perfect place to rest your feet as you travel between the parks. The Helena area is home to a wide range of activities and, as with much of the Southwest Montana region, is steeped in history.

Why is Helena, MT called the Queen city?

“Helen-a,” as locals say it, was born in the gold rush of 1864. She was dubbed the Queen City in the late 1800s, when more millionaires lived here, per capita, than anywhere in the nation. The leather-clad Montana Club, with its exclusive brotherhood of men who were millionaires, registered a cool 140 members.

What is the crime rate in Helena, MT?

With a crime rate of 40 per one thousand residents, Helena has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 25. Within Montana, more than 95% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Helena.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Helena

St. Peter's Health

Helena Parks and Recreation Department 

Planet Fitness

Crossroads Sports & Fitness

Premier Fitness

Mount Helena Trailhead 

Dump Gulch Trailhead

Original Governor's Mansion

Montana State Capitol

Holter Museum of Art

Great Northern Carousel

Southwest MT

Helena MT

Neighborhood Scout

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should be kept from being current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.