Editing Helena, Alabama

{{Short description|City in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Helena, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Old Town Helena Snow.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = "Old Town" Helena during a rare snowfall on January 19, 2008: These buildings date to the late 1800s.
|image_flag               = Flag of Helena, Alabama.png
|image_seal               = Seal of Helena, Alabama.png
|image_map                = File:Jefferson County and Shelby County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Helena Highlighted 0134024.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Helena in Jefferson County and Shelby County, Alabama.
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|Counties]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]], [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = J. Brian Puckett
|established_date         = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 22.38
|area_land_sq_mi          = 22.06
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.32
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 453
|population_as_of         = 2022
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 21,560
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 951.95/sq mile (367.58/sq km)
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|16|47|N|86|51|22|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 35080, 35022
|area_code                = [[Area codes 205|205]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-34024
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2404677<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404677}}</ref>
|website                  = http://www.cityofhelena.org/
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2 = 57.95
|area_land_km2 = 57.13
|area_water_km2 = 0.82
|population_density_km2 = 366.09
}}

'''Helena''' ({{IPAc-en|h|@|'|l|i|n|@}}) is a city in [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson]] and [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]] counties in the [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Alabama]]. Helena is considered a suburb of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and part of the [[Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area]]. As of 2022, the population estimate was 21,862.

Helena initially incorporated in 1877, but reincorporated in 1917 after errors were discovered in the initial incorporation papers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3122#sthash.rZEukFXr.dpuf|title=Helena}}</ref> Its population was not recorded separately in the U.S. Census until 1920, reflecting the later date of incorporation.

==History==
[[File:Helena Freight House & Depot interpretative sign; 29 Lake Davidson Lane, Helena, AL 35080 Front.jpg|thumb|Helena, AL town historical marker sign]]

===Early settlers===
The area was long the territory of the historic [[Muscogee people]], known by English colonists as the [[Creek Indians]]. While Scots-Irish and English traders had interaction with them, and there was some armed conflict in the early 19th century, most European-American settlers did not come to this area until 1849. This was after the United States had conducted [[Indian Removal]] of the Creek and other Southeastern tribes in the 1830s, to lands west of the [[Mississippi River]].

The first European-American settlers to Helena, which they initially named Cove, were veterans of the final campaigns of the [[War of 1812]]. Members of [[Andrew Jackson]]'s army were attracted to the quiet, peaceful valleys and streams after the [[Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814)|Battle of Horseshoe Bend]]. By 1856, the Cove post office opened. Shortly thereafter, the settlers changed the name of the town to Hillsboro.

===Civil War===
The onset of the [[American Civil War]] brought the need for the South to increase its manufacturing production and develop new industries, in service of the [[Confederate States of America]]. Coal and iron ore mines were dug throughout this area and the construction of the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] provided new transportation connections. Helena became an important industrial center for the wartime efforts. Around 1864 a [[rolling mill]] was built on Buck Creek, near the rail lines to process the iron from Selma.

Peter Boyle, an engineer for the railroad working on a new line, met and courted Helen Lee. He would name the rail station that supported the rolling mill after her. Eventually the town was named Helena after the train station.

====Wilson's Raid====
As the final battles of the Civil War were being fought, Union forces amassed a force for a cavalry raid to attack the South's war fighting capability, as [[Sherman's March to the Sea|Sherman's march]] had done the previous year. Led by [[James Harrison Wilson]], this force passed through the town of Helena on March 30, 1865, where they destroyed much of the newly developed industry and residential buildings.

===Reconstruction===
Within a few years of the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the [[reconstruction era]], industrialists were again developing the area coal and iron ore resources. The railroads were rebuilt and coke ovens were established by the Eureka Company in 1870. The rolling mill was rebuilt in 1873, with support spurred by [[Rufus Cobb]], later elected as a two-term governor.<ref>Robert David Ward, "Rufus W. Cobb, 1878-1882" in ''Alabama Governors,'' edited by Samuel L. Webb and Margaret E. Armbrester (The University of Alabama Press, 2001), pp. 106-109.</ref> Much of what was Hillsboro had been absorbed by the expanding Helena area. The town was surveyed by [[Joseph Squire]] in 1873 and incorporated in 1877.

By 1880, Helena contained
<blockquote>six mercantile stores, one drugstore, two hotels, and several boarding houses… The rolling mill had been expanded and modernized and the number of merchants had increased.<ref>Ken Penhale and Martin Everse, ''Images of America: Helena Alabama'' (Arcadia Publishing, 1998), 7-8.</ref></blockquote>A rail yard was added by the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] Company.

===Depression era=== 
Helena was first incorporated in 1877 but had to reincorporated in 1917 after the initial incorporation paperwork was found to contain errors. Charles Hind was elected mayor the same year. Much of the industry began to decline as the economy contracted in the years after World War I. The rolling mill was closed in 1923 and many mine closures followed. As the [[Great Depression]] set in during the 1930s, the town fell on hard times. Many residents left to find work elsewhere.

==== 1933 Tornado ====
[[File:Alabama - Guntersville Dam through Helena - NARA - 23933401 (cropped).jpg|300px|thumb|right|Damage of the tornado]]
Around 3 AM on [[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 4–10, 1933|May 5, 1933]], residents were awoken to a massive tornado that ripped through the heart of Helena. A total of twelve persons were killed; 75 people were reported as injured. Many of the original houses were completely destroyed and railroad cars were overturned. The property damage was estimated to be in the range of $100,000 to $150,000 (not adjusted).<ref>''Shelby County Reporter'', "12 Dead, 75 Injured, Property Damage Heavy," May 11, 1933, Volume 90, Number 30</ref>

===Modern expansion===
Helena remained a small town in the largely rural county until suburban growth from Birmingham reached the city in the late 20th century. Numerous residential and commercial developments have taken place, spurring improvements to city facilities and services. By the early 21st century, Helena had large population gains, with related growing pains in trying to provide services, as a result of its convenient location and high quality of life.<ref>[http://www.cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=5&pg=History History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208080503/http://www.cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=5&pg=History |date=February 8, 2012 }}, City of Helena website</ref>

====2021 tornado====
Another tornado struck the town on [[Tornado outbreak sequence of March 24–28, 2021#West Blocton–Helena–Eagle Point–Vandiver, Alabama|March 25, 2021]], causing EF1&nbsp;damage to several homes and downing trees throughout several neighborhoods. The tornado eventually reached low-end EF3&nbsp;strength northeast of town.<ref name="DAT">{{cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/ |website=apps.dat.noaa.gov |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Buck Creek Dam at low water IMG 7408.JPG|thumb|left | Buck Creek flows over the dam at Helena, Alabama, during the autumn low-water flow.]] 
Helena is located at {{Coord|33|16|47|N|86|51|22|W|type:city}} (33.279715, -86.856060).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|17.1|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|17.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} (0.12%) is covered by water. The [[Cahaba River]] and its tributary [[Buck Creek (Cahaba River tributary)|Buck Creek]] run through Helena. Buck Creek is dammed upstream of [[Alabama State Route 261]] in the Old Town area to form Lake Davidson. It was used both for recreation and to generate water wheel power at the turn of the 20th century. Fishing, wading, and canoeing are popular uses of both waterways.

Helena sits at the foothills of the very southern extent of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] as they descend into the [[Gulf of Mexico]] coastal plain. The area is largely rolling hills with numerous small streams, and undeveloped areas are primarily mixed woodlands.

Downtown Birmingham is 20&nbsp;mi (32&nbsp;km) north via Alabama Route 261 to [[U.S. Route 31|US-31]] or [[Interstate 65 in Alabama|I-65]].
{{clear}}

===Climate===
The climate of Helena is typical of the [[Deep South]], with long, hot, humid summers and short, relatively mild winters. Summer high temperatures are commonly in the upper 90s and low 100s F; winter lows are usually in the 20s F. Measurable snowfall is rare, occurring only a few times a decade. Thunderstorms are frequent occurrences during the summer.<ref>http://www.weather.gov/climate/local_data.php?wfo=bmx National Weather Service Forecast Office Birmingham, Alabama; Unique Local Climate Data</ref> The Helena area experiences two severe weather peaks, early spring (March–April) and late fall (November), with tornadoes being frequent hazards during both peaks.
<ref>http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/index.php  National Weather Service Forecast Office Birmingham, Alabama; Alabama Tornado Occurrences</ref> Hurricanes coming ashore on the northern Gulf coast occasionally reach Helena with [[tropical storm]]-force winds.

{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Helena, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 2002&ndash;2021

|Jan record high F = 79
|Feb record high F = 82
|Mar record high F = 89
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 107
|Sep record high F = 101
|Oct record high F = 102
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 72.8
|Feb avg record high F = 76.3
|Mar avg record high F = 83.1
|Apr avg record high F = 87.6
|May avg record high F = 93.5
|Jun avg record high F = 98.4
|Jul avg record high F = 99.4
|Aug avg record high F = 99.9
|Sep avg record high F = 95.8
|Oct avg record high F = 89.9
|Nov avg record high F = 77.9
|Dec avg record high F = 75.1
|year avg record high F = 101.7

<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =54.8
| Feb high F  =60.1
| Mar high F  =68.0
| Apr high F  =76.1
| May high F  =83.4
| Jun high F  =89.6
| Jul high F  =92.2
| Aug high F  =92.0
| Sep high F  =87.2
| Oct high F  =76.3
| Nov high F  =64.9
| Dec high F  =57.0
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =44.7
| Feb mean F  =49.0
| Mar mean F  =56.5
| Apr mean F  =63.6
| May mean F  =71.9
| Jun mean F  =78.7
| Jul mean F  =81.7
| Aug mean F  =81.1
| Sep mean F  =75.8
| Oct mean F  =64.3
| Nov mean F  =53.3
| Dec mean F  =46.9
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =34.6
| Feb low F  =37.8
| Mar low F  =45.0
| Apr low F  =51.2
| May low F  =60.3
| Jun low F  =67.7
| Jul low F  =71.2
| Aug low F  =70.2
| Sep low F  =64.4
| Oct low F  =52.3
| Nov low F  =41.6
| Dec low F  =36.8

|Jan avg record low F = 16.3
|Feb avg record low F = 22.1
|Mar avg record low F = 26.9
|Apr avg record low F = 35.2
|May avg record low F = 45.5
|Jun avg record low F = 59.1
|Jul avg record low F = 63.9
|Aug avg record low F = 62.7
|Sep avg record low F = 51.6
|Oct avg record low F = 36.3
|Nov avg record low F = 24.5
|Dec avg record low F = 22.3
|year avg record low F = 15.1

|Jan record low F = 4
|Feb record low F = 14
|Mar record low F = 19
|Apr record low F = 29
|May record low F = 39
|Jun record low F = 52
|Jul record low F = 56
|Aug record low F = 53
|Sep record low F = 44
|Oct record low F = 28
|Nov record low F = 18
|Dec record low F = 14

<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =5.10
| Feb precipitation inch  =5.58
| Mar precipitation inch  =5.34
| Apr precipitation inch  =5.18
| May precipitation inch  =4.15
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.23
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.76
| Aug precipitation inch  =4.42
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.93
| Oct precipitation inch  =3.62
| Nov precipitation inch  =4.66
| Dec precipitation inch  =4.65

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.3
|Feb precipitation days = 11.9
|Mar precipitation days = 11.5
|Apr precipitation days = 9.7
|May precipitation days = 9.8
|Jun precipitation days = 11.0
|Jul precipitation days = 12.8
|Aug precipitation days = 11.3
|Sep precipitation days = 7.9
|Oct precipitation days = 7.7
|Nov precipitation days = 8.7
|Dec precipitation days = 10.8

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00013781&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Helena, AL
|access-date = March 4, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = XMACIS2 (mean maxima/minima 2006&ndash;2020)<ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = March 4, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 808
|1930= 549
|1940= 667
|1950= 421
|1960= 523
|1970= 1110
|1980= 2130
|1990= 3918
|2000= 10296
|2010= 16793
|2020= 20914
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Helena racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0134024&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 11, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|15,149
|72.43%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|3,382
|16.17%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|41
|0.2%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|327
|1.56%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|12
|0.06%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|987
|4.72%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,016
|4.86%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 20,914 people, 6,718 households, and 5,119 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, 16,793 people, 3,828 households, and 3,043 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|603.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 3,983 housing units averaged 233.3 per square mile (90.1/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 82.5% White, 13.1% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 1.1% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races; 3.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,828 households, 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were not families; 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was distributed as 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 42.7% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,908, and for a family was $66,250. Males had a median income of $45,291 versus $32,431 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $26,323. About 1.4% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The local economy is broadly diversified among professional, service, and manufacturing jobs. Many of the residents of Helena commute to work in other communities within the greater Birmingham area. No employer is dominant in the city, and recent economic growth has mainly come in the service industries to support the increased population. Well-known local industries include the [[Vulcan Materials Company]] [[construction aggregate]] quarry and the Plantation Pipeline depot and tank farm. A developed industrial park includes a wide variety of manufacturers.

==Arts and culture==
Helena holds numerous arts and crafts fairs, and musical performances throughout the year in public spaces.
Helena Old Town Live Summer Concert Series bring thousands into Amphitheater Park to hear great music.Helena's residents also have easy access to cultural attractions in the greater Birmingham area, such as the [[Birmingham Zoo]], [[Birmingham Museum of Art]], [[McWane Center]], and [[Vulcan statue]] and park.

During 2005, Helena gained nationwide notice as the hometown of singer [[Bo Bice]], who was a finalist on the popular [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] program ''[[American Idol]]''.  Magnolia Springs Manor was the host of [[Sacha Baron Cohen]]’s character Borat in his famous 2006 hit film.

===Annual cultural events===
Major annual community events largely reflect traditional small-town American life. They include an Easter Egg Hunt,<ref name=march>''Helena City News''; City of Helena, Alabama, March 2008 edition</ref> Buck Creek Festival,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buckcreekfestival.com/BuckCreekFestival |title=Welcome to the Buck Creek Festival :: Where Food, Family and Fun come together for Charity! |access-date=March 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828000644/http://www.buckcreekfestival.com/BuckCreekFestival |archive-date=August 28, 2008 }} Buck Creek Festival</ref> [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]] picnic, concert and fireworks; Fall Carnival, Spring Fling, and Christmas Parade.

===Museums and other points of interest===
Major points of interest include the Cahaba River, Old Town Amphitheater, and the Old Town district, which includes the 19th-century jail and railroad freight depot, as well as commercial structures from the 19th century. The Kenneth R. Penhale Museum opened in October 2011 in the Old Town district.

==Sports==
Outdoor sports are popular in Helena. [[American football|Football]] attracts the most participants and spectators at all levels; golf, basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer are also popular among residents.<ref>City of Helena; Parks and Recreation</ref> Some children participate in city-sponsored sports and school-sponsored sports. Others participate in sports at the nearby Pelham YMCA.

Numerous minor-league sports franchises are located in the [[Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area|Greater Birmingham]] area, within which Helena is located. Local sports venues (in that area) include the [[Hoover Metropolitan Stadium]] (Hoover Met), [[Regions Field]] in [[Southside, Birmingham, Alabama|Southside]] of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], [[Legion Field]] in Birmingham, the [[Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex]] (BJCC), and [[Barber Motorsports Park]] in [[Leeds, Alabama|Leeds]]. [[College sports]], which are most popular in Helena, just like the rest of Alabama, use several of these venues. College sports fans in Helena most commonly support the [[Alabama Crimson Tide]], [[Auburn Tigers]], [[UAB Blazers]], and [[Samford Bulldogs]], and many are alumni of those schools.

==Parks and recreation==
Numerous parks are provided within Helena by the city and [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby County]]. These parks feature open green spaces, playground equipment, a fishing pond, and a baseball field complex often used for tournaments and recreational leagues. The [[Helena Sports Complex]] opened in 2003 and features a community center and spaces for baseball, softball, cheerleading, basketball, and soccer. The most popular parks in Helena include Joe Tucker Park and Cahaba Lily Park. The Old Town Helena Amphitheater, along the banks of Buck Creek, features a stage and grass seating area where numerous productions are staged, including the popular Summer Sundown Cinemas (free movies) and [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]] celebration. The [[Cahaba River]] and its tributary Buck Creek run through Helena. Buck Creek is dammed upstream of Alabama Highway 261 in the Old Town area to form Lake Davidson. Fishing, wading, and canoeing are popular uses of both waterways.

==Government==
[[Image:Helena Fire Department Engine 61.JPG|thumb|right | Helena Fire Department's modern Engine 61]]
The city has an elected mayor-council form of government. The mayor and council is elected [[at-large]] Those elected in 2020 are:
* Mayor - Brian Puckett
Helena City Council: 
* Chris Willis - Place 1
* Christopher R. VanCleave - Place 2 (Pro-Tempore)
* Alice Lobell (City Council President) - Place 3
* Laura Joseph - Place 4
* Hewy Woodman - Place 5
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cityofhelena.org/city-council/|title = City Council}}</ref>

The city operates the following departments:<ref>http://www.cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=4&pg=City+Departments {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421233649/http://cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=4&pg=City+Departments |date=April 21, 2008 }} City of Helena; City Departments</ref>
* Administrative
* Building Inspectiins,Planning
* Cou
* Fire
* Human Resources
* Parks & Recreation
* Police
* Public Works
* Revenue and Finance
* Utility Board

The city enjoys full-time, paid public safety services through the Helena Police Department and Helena Fire Department. The Helena Fire Department has three fire stations and includes volunteer firefighters in addition to the paid staff. The Helena Police Department includes a K-9 unit. Together with the fire department, it sponsors a Law Enforcement Explorer Post with Learning-for-Life, a division of Boy Scouts of America.
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.helenapoliceexplorers.com/ |title=Helena Explorers |access-date=March 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924020249/http://helenapoliceexplorers.com/ |archive-date=September 24, 2010 }} Helena Police Explorers</ref>

{{clear}}

==Education==
Public education for students from kindergarten to 12th grade is provided by the Shelby County School System, including Helena Elementary School, Helena Intermediate School, Helena Middle School, and Helena High School. <!-- http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/ Shelby County (Alabama) Schools. --> A new high school, to accommodate the increased number of students, was constructed and opened in the fall of the 2014–15 year.

==Media==
Helena is within the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston [[media market]]. Its major local television stations are [[WBRC|WBRC Fox 6]], [[Alabama Public Television|WBIQ APT (PBS) 10]], [[WVTM-TV|WVTM (NBC) 13]], [[WTTO|WTTO CW 21]], [[WBMA-LD|ABC 33/40]], [[WIAT|WIAT CBS 42]], [[WPXH|WPXH ION 44]], and [[WABM|WABM MyNetworkTV 68]]. Helena is also served by all the Birmingham radio stations, including [[WJQX|100.5 WJQX]], an [[ESPN Radio]] station licensed to Helena. The ''[[Birmingham News]]'' is Helena's major daily newspaper. It publishes a special Shelby County section, the ''Shelby News'', in addition to the regular Birmingham edition, which is distributed to Helena subscribers.

The ''Shelby County Reporter''<ref>[http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/news/front/]{{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} Shelby County Reporter</ref> is a weekly newspaper covering Shelby County, including Helena.

Additionally, the ''Helena - The Magazine'' is published monthly by the City of Helena as a public service; it is mailed to all Helena residents. The ''Helena - The Magazine'' is a news and culture magazine-style publication, that  runs 52 pages, and includes reporting on past and future community events, profiles on local businesses and residents, and monthly columns by area physicians and elected government officials.

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[Image:AL 261 Helena IMG 9723.JPG|thumb|right | Alabama 261 bridge across Buck Creek in Helena.]]

Helena is located near two major interstates. [[I-459]], which joins major east–west interstates [[Interstate 20|I-20]] and [[I-59]], is located 9 miles to the north; north-south oriented [[I-65]] is 3 miles east of Old Town Helena. [[Alabama State Route 261|AL-261]] runs through the heart of Helena and connects the city to neighboring Pelham, where it intersects [[U.S. Route 31 in Alabama|US-31]], located 2 miles east of Old Town. Here it becomes Valleydale Road and continues to its terminus at [[US-280]], ultimately connecting Helena with eastern Hoover.

[[CSX Transportation]] provides rail service on two separate lines, the S&NA South subdivision between Birmingham and [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]], and the Lineville subdivision between Birmingham and [[Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref>http://www.csx.com/share/general/fastfacts/docs/Ala_Fact_Sheets_0506-6-REF21803.pdf CSXT and Alabama</ref>

General aviation and private jet services are available at the nearby [[Bessemer Airport]] (EKY) about 8 miles north of Old Town. Extensive commercial flights are available at the [[Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport]] (BHM) about 25 miles to the northeast.<ref>http://www.flybirmingham.com/ Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport</ref> Intercity rail service is available on the Amtrak [[Crescent (Amtrak)|Crescent]], 19 miles to the north in Birmingham.<ref>http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080551080&ssid=109 Amtrak; Birmingham, AL (BHM) station</ref>

===Utilities===
Electric service is provided by [[Alabama Power Company]]; water, sewage, and garbage pick-up by the city; and cable television and internet provided by multiple providers.

===Healthcare===
Numerous medical professionals practice in Helena. Many cater to family and individual patient's needs in areas such as counseling, dentistry, psychiatry, physical therapy and primary care.  The city also benefits from its proximity to Birmingham's extensive medical community, including several major hospitals and [[University of Alabama at Birmingham]] medical schools. The closest hospital is Baptist Shelby in [[Alabaster, Alabama|Alabaster]].

==Notable people==
<!--Use standard format - put name first; all should have Wikipedia articles to establish notability, or strong cite to Reliable Source  -->
*[[Bo Bice]], ''American Idol'''s 2005 runner-up
*[[Liz Cochran]], 2009 [[Miss Alabama]] and competitor in the 2010 [[Miss America Pageant]], was born here.
*[[Vonetta Flowers]], Olympic Gold Medal gymnast 
*[[Rebecca Luker]], actor and singer, who appeared in several musicals
*[[Leigh Hulsey]], member of the [[Alabama House of Representatives]] and former member of the city council<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Meet Leigh Hulsey |url=https://www.leighhulsey.com/meet-leigh-hulsey |access-date=September 29, 2023 |website=HULSEY FOR HOUSE |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Richard Fitts]], Boston Red Sox pitcher, was born here.
*[[Brent Hinds]], guitarist and vocalist of [[Mastodon (band)]] grew up in Helena.<ref name=":0" />

==Images==
<gallery widths=200px heights=150px>
Image:Helena No 1 in Alabama IMG 7392.JPG | Street banner announcing ''Money ''naming Helena the number-one place to live in Alabama in 2007.
Image:Helena Fire Department Engine 62 Helena Alabama.JPG|Helena Fire Department Engine 63.<ref>http://www.cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=153&pg=Apparatus {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912023052/http://cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=153&pg=Apparatus |date=September 12, 2007 }} City of Helena; Fire Department; Apparatus</ref> This 1980s engine won several awards for appearance and is currently in service as a reserve unit.
Image:City of Helena Alabama Welcome Center.JPG|The City of Helena Welcome Center is housed in a [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] caboose in Old Town next to the [[CSX]] S&NA Subdivision tracks.
</gallery>

==References==
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==External links==
*[http://www.cityofhelena.org/] City of Helena, Alabama

{{Jefferson County, Alabama}}
{{Shelby County, Alabama}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Shelby County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Birmingham metropolitan area, Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1845]]