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Welcome to Helena, Arkansas
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About Helena:
Helena is the eastern portion of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a city located in Phillips
County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city had a total population of
6,323. Helena was the county seat of Phillips County until January 1, 2006, when it merged
its government and city limits with neighboring West Helena.
Helena Geography:
Helena is located at 34°31'34" North, 90°36'5" West (34.526223, -90.601377).
According to the United States Census Bureau, Helena has a total area of 23.1 km2 (8.9
mi2). 23.1 km2 (8.9 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Helena Demographics:
As of the census of 2000, there are 6,323 people, 2,312 households, and 1,542 families
residing in Helena. The population density is 274.3/km2 (710.7/mi2). There are 2,710
housing units at an average density of 117.6/km2 (304.6/mi2). The racial makeup of Helena
is 30.59% White, 67.93% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.60% Asian,
0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.73%
of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,312 households out of which 32.7% have children under the age of 18 living
with them, 33.8% are married couples living together, 28.5% have a female householder
with no husband present, and 33.3% are non-families. 30.0% of all households are made up
of individuals and 13.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The
average household size is 2.62 and the average family size is 3.28.
In Helena, the population is spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24,
22.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The
median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 83.3 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there are 75.5 males.
The median income for a household in Helena is $18,662, and the median income for a
family is $21,534. Males have a median income of $27,203 versus $17,250 for females. The
per capita income for Helena is $13,028. 41.4% of the population and 38.4% of families are
below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 54.9% of those under the age of 18 and
24.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Welcome to West Helena, Arkansas
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About West Helena:
West Helena is the western portion of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a city located in
Phillips County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city had a total
population of 8,689.
Historically, West Helena and its sister city Helena, located on the Mississippi River, have
been two of the focal points in the history of the development of the blues. The cities
consolidated on January 1, 2006.
West Helena Geography:
West Helena is located at 34°32'45" North, 90°38'40" West (34.545702, -90.644346).
According to the United States Census Bureau, West Helena has a total area of 11.5 km2
(4.4 mi2). 11.5 km2 (4.4 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
West Helena Demographics:
As of the census of 2000, there are 8,689 people, 3,204 households, and 2,223 families
residing in West Helena. The population density is 755.6/km2 (1,956.6/mi2). There are
3,518 housing units at an average density of 305.9/km2 (792.2/mi2). The racial makeup of
West Helena is 32.77% White, 65.69% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American,
0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more
races. 1.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,204 households out of which 36.0% have children under the age of 18 living
with them, 36.8% are married couples living together, 29.2% have a female householder
with no husband present, and 30.6% are non-families. 27.6% of all households are made up
of individuals and 11.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The
average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.32.
In West Helena, the population is spread out with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18
to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who are 65 years of age or
older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 80.7 males. For every
100 females age 18 and over, there are 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in West Helena is $21,130, and the median income for
a family is $25,014. Males have a median income of $22,971 versus $17,225 for females.
The per capita income for West Helena is $11,234. 35.4% of the population and 30.9% of
families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 49.5% of those under the
age of 18 and 27.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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About Helena:
Helena is the eastern portion of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a city located in Phillips
County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city had a total population of
6,323. Helena was the county seat of Phillips County until January 1, 2006, when it merged
its government and city limits with neighboring West Helena.
Helena Geography:
Helena is located at 34°31'34" North, 90°36'5" West (34.526223, -90.601377).
According to the United States Census Bureau, Helena has a total area of 23.1 km2 (8.9
mi2). 23.1 km2 (8.9 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Helena Demographics:
As of the census of 2000, there are 6,323 people, 2,312 households, and 1,542 families
residing in Helena. The population density is 274.3/km2 (710.7/mi2). There are 2,710
housing units at an average density of 117.6/km2 (304.6/mi2). The racial makeup of Helena
is 30.59% White, 67.93% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.60% Asian,
0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.73%
of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,312 households out of which 32.7% have children under the age of 18 living
with them, 33.8% are married couples living together, 28.5% have a female householder
with no husband present, and 33.3% are non-families. 30.0% of all households are made up
of individuals and 13.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The
average household size is 2.62 and the average family size is 3.28.
In Helena, the population is spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24,
22.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The
median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 83.3 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there are 75.5 males.
The median income for a household in Helena is $18,662, and the median income for a
family is $21,534. Males have a median income of $27,203 versus $17,250 for females. The
per capita income for Helena is $13,028. 41.4% of the population and 38.4% of families are
below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 54.9% of those under the age of 18 and
24.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Welcome to West Helena, Arkansas
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About West Helena:
West Helena is the western portion of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a city located in
Phillips County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city had a total
population of 8,689.
Historically, West Helena and its sister city Helena, located on the Mississippi River, have
been two of the focal points in the history of the development of the blues. The cities
consolidated on January 1, 2006.
West Helena Geography:
West Helena is located at 34°32'45" North, 90°38'40" West (34.545702, -90.644346).
According to the United States Census Bureau, West Helena has a total area of 11.5 km2
(4.4 mi2). 11.5 km2 (4.4 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
West Helena Demographics:
As of the census of 2000, there are 8,689 people, 3,204 households, and 2,223 families
residing in West Helena. The population density is 755.6/km2 (1,956.6/mi2). There are
3,518 housing units at an average density of 305.9/km2 (792.2/mi2). The racial makeup of
West Helena is 32.77% White, 65.69% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American,
0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more
races. 1.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,204 households out of which 36.0% have children under the age of 18 living
with them, 36.8% are married couples living together, 29.2% have a female householder
with no husband present, and 30.6% are non-families. 27.6% of all households are made up
of individuals and 11.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The
average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.32.
In West Helena, the population is spread out with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18
to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who are 65 years of age or
older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 80.7 males. For every
100 females age 18 and over, there are 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in West Helena is $21,130, and the median income for
a family is $25,014. Males have a median income of $22,971 versus $17,225 for females.
The per capita income for West Helena is $11,234. 35.4% of the population and 30.9% of
families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 49.5% of those under the
age of 18 and 27.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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As its hyphenated name implies, Helena-West Helena was formed from the merger of
two previously existing towns, which became effective Jan. 1, 2006. The origins of the
two prior towns can be traced to separate eras in American history.
Helena, Arkansas was located on the Mississippi River and began its emergence as a
major port shortly after steamboats began traveling the river in 1811. The agricultural
wealth of Arkansas's eastern Delta region flowed through Helena, AR and it was there
that the culture of the Deep South made its most thorough and enduring penetration into
Arkansas.
Pinned between the river on the east and Crowley's Ridge immediately to the west,
Helena, Arkansas was unable to accommodate the industrialization that began reaching
the area in the early 20th century. Thus, West Helena, AR was founded in 1909 to the
west of Crowley's Ridge around the factories and mills for which Helena had lacked the
space.
At Helena-West Helena, the mythic power of the Mississippi can be seen in the River
Reach Park. The Delta Cultural Center, a state museum, has exhibits detailing the natural
and human history of the Delta region, including the 1863 Battle of Helena, and
Helena-West Helena's role in the development of blues music. Helena, Arkansas
contributed seven generals to the Confederacy, three of whom are buried in Helena-West
Helena's Confederate Cemetery. Civil War artifacts and period paintings of the generals
can be viewed at the Phillips County Museum.
Other Helena-West Helena attractions include a large collection of antebellum and
Victorian homes, including three that operate as bed and breakfast inns and the 1896
Queen Anne Pillow-Thompson House, which is open for tours. Two national scenic
byways pass through the town: the Great River Road and the Crowley's Ridge Parkway.
The byways both extend north from Helena-West Helena into the St. Francis National
Forest. The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, formerly known as the King Biscuit
Blues Festival, is held each October, continuing Helena-West Helena's blues legacy. The
Wild Hog Music Festival and Motorcycle Rally is held each April.
two previously existing towns, which became effective Jan. 1, 2006. The origins of the
two prior towns can be traced to separate eras in American history.
Helena, Arkansas was located on the Mississippi River and began its emergence as a
major port shortly after steamboats began traveling the river in 1811. The agricultural
wealth of Arkansas's eastern Delta region flowed through Helena, AR and it was there
that the culture of the Deep South made its most thorough and enduring penetration into
Arkansas.
Pinned between the river on the east and Crowley's Ridge immediately to the west,
Helena, Arkansas was unable to accommodate the industrialization that began reaching
the area in the early 20th century. Thus, West Helena, AR was founded in 1909 to the
west of Crowley's Ridge around the factories and mills for which Helena had lacked the
space.
At Helena-West Helena, the mythic power of the Mississippi can be seen in the River
Reach Park. The Delta Cultural Center, a state museum, has exhibits detailing the natural
and human history of the Delta region, including the 1863 Battle of Helena, and
Helena-West Helena's role in the development of blues music. Helena, Arkansas
contributed seven generals to the Confederacy, three of whom are buried in Helena-West
Helena's Confederate Cemetery. Civil War artifacts and period paintings of the generals
can be viewed at the Phillips County Museum.
Other Helena-West Helena attractions include a large collection of antebellum and
Victorian homes, including three that operate as bed and breakfast inns and the 1896
Queen Anne Pillow-Thompson House, which is open for tours. Two national scenic
byways pass through the town: the Great River Road and the Crowley's Ridge Parkway.
The byways both extend north from Helena-West Helena into the St. Francis National
Forest. The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, formerly known as the King Biscuit
Blues Festival, is held each October, continuing Helena-West Helena's blues legacy. The
Wild Hog Music Festival and Motorcycle Rally is held each April.
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