Helena, Alabama
Helena (/həˈlinə/) 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. As of 2022 the United States Census Bureau estimates the population to be 21,862.
Helena, Alabama | |
|---|---|
"Old Town" Helena during a rare snowfall on January 19, 2008: These buildings date to the late 1800s. | |
Location of Helena in Jefferson County and Shelby County, Alabama. | |
| Coordinates: 33°16′47″N 86°51′22″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| Counties | Shelby, Jefferson |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | J. Brian Puckett |
| Area | |
| • Total | 22.38 sq mi (57.95 km2) |
| • Land | 22.06 sq mi (57.13 km2) |
| • Water | 0.32 sq mi (0.82 km2) |
| Elevation | 453 ft (138 m) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Total | 21,560 |
| • Density | 948.2/sq mi (366.09/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 35080, 35022 |
| Area code | 205 |
| FIPS code | 01-34024 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404677 |
| Website | http://www.cityofhelena.org/ |
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).
Helena initially incorporated in 1877, but reincorporated in 1917 after errors were discovered in the initial incorporation papers. Its population was not recorded separately in the U.S. Census until 1920, reflecting the later date of incorporation.