Helena, Montana
Helena (ⓘ; /ˈhɛlənə/) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the seat of Lewis and Clark County.
Helena | |
|---|---|
State capital | |
Helena skyline Montana State Capitol Benton Avenue Cemetery Original Montana Governor's Mansion | |
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Seal Logo | |
| Nickname(s): Queen City of the Rockies, The Capital City | |
| Coordinates: 46°35′28″N 112°1′13″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lewis and Clark |
| Founded | October 30, 1864 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Wilmot Collins (D) |
| Area | |
| • City | 16.90 sq mi (43.76 km2) |
| • Land | 16.86 sq mi (43.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| • Urban | 11 sq mi (30 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,045 ft (1,233 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • City | 32,091 |
| • Density | 1,903.38/sq mi (734.91/km2) |
| • Metro | 83,058 |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (Mountain) |
| ZIP code | 59601-59602, 59626; 59604, 59620, 59624 (P.O. Boxes); 59623, 59625 (organizations) |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-35600 |
| GNIS ID | 802166 |
| Waterways | Tenmile Creek |
| Website | www |
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).