Helena-West Helena, AR

Census place 0531190 · pop 8,935

F24/ 100
💀 Bad
F
in AR
📍 Arkansas ranks #35 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$73,200 · top 1%
🚽 Obesity51.2% · bottom 1%
Taxes
0.93% property · US 0.99%9.46% sales · US 7.00%up to 3.90% income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Adult obesity51.2%0

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

51.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Physical inactivity46.3%0

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

46.3% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Population growth (5yr)-16.9%1

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-16.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Violent crime rate1642/100k1

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

1642 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Median household income$36,0191

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$36,019 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult smoking22.6%2

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

22.6% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Poverty rate31.7%2

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

31.7% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Poor mental health21.6%3

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

21.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Broadband access79.5%3

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

79.5% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Unemployment rateCounty-level6.1%4

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

6.1% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Homeownership42.0%6

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

42.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Property crime rate3558/100k7

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

3558 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Bachelor's degree or higher15.3%10

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

15.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Uninsured adults14.4%20

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

14.4% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Income inequality0.4537

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.45 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Property-tax burden0.93%53

U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities

0.93% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Commute time20 min74

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

20 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level65/10079

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

65/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Housing cost$73,200100

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$73,200 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Not measured for Helena-West Helena: Air, Bad air, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Helena-West Helena, AR a good place to live?
By the numbers, Helena-West Helena scores 24/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is adult obesity. Arkansas overall ranks #35 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Helena-West Helena, AR?
Helena-West Helena reports 1642 violent crimes per 100k and 3558 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Helena-West Helena, AR expensive to live in?
Helena-West Helena has a median home value of $73,200 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Helena-West Helena, AR?
Its weakest measured area is adult obesity (51.2%) — 0/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Helena-West Helena, AR best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($73,200) — 100/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.