Helena, Montana

Helena
Helena skyline
Benton Avenue Cemetery
Original Montana Governor's Mansion
Nicknames: 
Queen City of the Rockies, The Capital City
Interactive map of Helena
Coordinates: 46°35′47″N 112°01′35″W / 46.59639°N 112.02639°W / 46.59639; -112.02639
Country United States
State Montana
CountyLewis and Clark
FoundedOctober 30, 1864
Government
 • TypeCity
 • MayorEmily Dean
Area
16.90 sq mi (43.76 km2)
 • Land16.86 sq mi (43.67 km2)
 • Water0.039 sq mi (0.10 km2)
 • Urban
11 sq mi (28 km2)
Elevation
3,996 ft (1,218 m)
Population
 (2020)
32,091
 • Density1,903.4/sq mi (734.91/km2)
 • Metro
83,058
DemonymHelenan
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (Mountain)
ZIP Codes
59601–59602, 59626; 59604, 59620, 59624 (P.O. Boxes); 59623, 59625 (organizations)
Area code406
FIPS code30-35600
GNIS ID2410734
WaterwaysTenmile Creek
Websitewww.helenamt.gov

Helena (listen; /ˈhɛlənə/) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County.

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 Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson counties; the MSA's population being 83,058 according to the 2020 census.

The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The city is served by Helena Regional Airport (HLN).