Checked
Helena, AL
City in Shelby County, Alabama. ZIP codes: 35080.
Population
21,769
Land area
22.3sq mi
People per sq mi
975
ZIP codes
1
Helena and its ZIP codes
Helena at a glance
- Helena is about 9.7 times as dense as Alabama as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 31st among 592 cities and towns in Alabama.
- The median household income is $115,139, 80% above the Alabama median of $63,999.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $330,700 (58% above Alabama) and median rent is $1,574 a month.
Local data for Helena, AL
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Helena, AL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$115,139
Poverty rate
3.2%
Median home value
$330,700
Median rent
$1,574/mo
Homeownership
91.1%
Bachelor's or higher
51.4%
Median age
37.8
Average commute
30.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (2,196), German Americans (1,188), Italian Americans (790).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Shelby County. PPP loans are for Helena.
Unemployment rate
2.8%
Aug 2026, +0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$69,505
84,778 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$74,513
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.53B
FY 2026, $6,866 per person
How people get to work
Helena, AL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone73.0%
- Carpooled6.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.4%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.9%
- Worked from home19.5%
Average one-way commute: 30.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Helena, AL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: tornado
Storm events since 1996
733
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
491
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
92° / 35°F
55.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Helena, AL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.6%
U.S. 33.3% -1.7 pts
Diabetes
9.5%
U.S. 12.1% -2.6 pts
Smoking
10.1%
U.S. 12.8% -2.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.1%
U.S. 11.1% -5.0 pts
ZIP codes in Helena
1 in or overlapping Helena. Population shown
Cities near Helena
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| HooverCity | 4.3 mi | 49.7 |
| AlabasterCity | 4.9 mi | 26.3 |
| PelhamCity | 5.2 mi | 38.8 |
| BrantleyvilleCensus-designated place | 5.3 mi | 2.2 |
| Indian Springs VillageCity | 7.7 mi | 3.9 |
| McCallaCensus-designated place | 9.2 mi | 33.8 |
| LipscombCity | 10 mi | 1.2 |
| Vestavia HillsCity | 11 mi | 20 |
| BessemerCity | 11 mi | 40.6 |
| MeadowbrookCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 4.4 |
| Pea RidgeCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 15.6 |
| MontevalloCity | 11 mi | 12.9 |
| BrightonCity | 11 mi | 1.4 |
| HomewoodCity | 12 mi | 8.3 |
| MidfieldCity | 12 mi | 2.7 |
| Eagle PointCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.2 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Helena, AL in?
- Helena is in Shelby County, Alabama.
- What ZIP codes are in Helena, AL?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Helena include 35080.
- What is the population of Helena, AL?
- About 21,769 people live in Helena, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Helena?
- Nearby places include Hoover (4.3 mi), Alabaster (4.9 mi), Pelham (5.2 mi), Brantleyville (5.3 mi), Indian Springs Village (7.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023