Living in Helena, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Helena · Census data 2020–2024
Helena has 716 residents with a median age of 51.2. The median household income is $38,651 (44% lower than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $157,300, the median rent is $931/month.
Helena is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Helena at a glance
- Population
- 716
- Median age
- 51.2State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $38,651State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $157,300State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $931/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 60.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Helena a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 1.2%.
Cons: Median household income 44% lower than the South Carolina median; a poverty rate of 24.2%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Helena
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Helena the median home value is $157,300, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $931 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,136 a month in housing costs.
Helena median household income
The median household income in Helena is $38,651 and the income per person is $27,474. 24.2% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Helena: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 427
- Owner-occupied
- 60.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.5%
- Vacant
- 12.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1996
- Average household size
- 1.91
Helena demographics
- Population
- 716
- Median age
- 51.2
- Under 18
- 10.8%
- 65 and older
- 21.4%
- Households
- 375
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 1.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Helena ›
Education in Helena
19.8% of adults 25 and older in Helena have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 2.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Helena
- Unemployment rate
- 1.2%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 86.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.4%
Helena vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 716 | $38,651 | $157,300 | $931 |
| Newberry | 10,790 | $51,260 | $142,400 | $831 |
| Silverstreet | 330 | $96,250 | $206,600 | — |
| Prosperity | 1,318 | $62,958 | $152,200 | $827 |
| Joanna | 1,306 | $49,141 | $88,100 | $625 |
| Pomaria | 152 | $63,750 | $212,500 | — |
| Little Mountain | 368 | $91,250 | $267,100 | — |
| Whitmire | 1,319 | $37,837 | $53,500 | $802 |
| Clinton | 7,676 | $44,522 | $173,400 | $899 |
More for people moving to Helena
Helena ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Helena: FAQ
What is the median household income in Helena, SC?
The median household income in Helena is $38,651, 44% lower than the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Helena?
The median home value in Helena is $157,300, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Helena?
The median gross rent in Helena is $931 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Helena, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 1.2%. Minuses: median household income 44% lower than the South Carolina median; a poverty rate of 24.2%.
What is the median age in Helena?
The median age in Helena is 51.2 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Helena?
The average commute to work in Helena is 16 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Helena?
The unemployment rate in Helena is 1.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Helena?
19.8% of adults in Helena have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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