Helen, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Benton |
| Elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98944
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1511029 |
Helen is a small, quiet place in Washington State. It is not a city or a town with its own local government. Instead, it is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it is a group of homes and perhaps a few buildings that are part of a larger county. Helen is located in Benton County, which is in the southeastern part of Washington. It is about 23 miles southwest of a town called Othello. Helen is also found within a special area known as the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
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About Helen, Washington
Helen is a small community that does not have its own city hall or mayor. It is part of Benton County, which handles services like roads and law enforcement for the area. Being an unincorporated community means that the people living there rely on the county government for many things.
Where is Helen Located?
Helen is situated in the southeastern part of Washington State. It is specifically within Benton County. The community is found about 23 miles southwest of a town called Othello. This area is known for its wide-open spaces and unique landscape.
The Hanford Site Connection
Helen is located on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. This is a very large area that was once used by the United States government for special projects. Today, parts of the Hanford Site are still managed by the government. Helen is one of the small communities found within or near this large reservation.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it is not officially organized as a city or town. It does not have its own local government, like a mayor or city council. Instead, the county government is responsible for providing services to these areas.
How Unincorporated Areas Work
In an unincorporated community like Helen, the county government takes care of many things. This includes maintaining roads, providing police and fire services, and managing zoning rules. Residents pay taxes to the county, and these taxes help fund the services they receive. This is different from a city, where residents pay taxes to their city government for local services.
