St. Helens, Oregon Facts for Kids

St. Helens is the county seat of Columbia County, Oregon. It was founded by Captain Henry Montgomery Knighton, a native of New England, in 1845, as "Plymouth". The name was changed to St. Helens in the latter part of 1850 for its view of Mount St. Helens, roughly 39 miles (63 km) away in Washington. The city is about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Portland. Its population was 12,883 at the 2010 census.

Demographics
- 2017 population estimate
- 2010 census
Education
Notable people
See also

Demographics

The Olde School in St. Helens

2017 population estimate

According to the Portland State University Population Research Center, the estimated 2017 population of St. Helens is 13,240.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	209	—
1890	220	5.3%
1900	258	17.3%
1910	743	188.0%
1920	2,220	198.8%
1930	3,994	79.9%
1940	4,304	7.8%
1950	4,711	9.5%
1960	5,022	6.6%
1970	6,212	23.7%
1980	7,064	13.7%
1990	7,535	6.7%
2000	10,019	33.0%
2010	12,883	28.6%
2019 (est.)	13,739	6.6%
Sources:

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 12,883 people, 4,847 households, and 3,243 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,843.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,098.0/km²). There were 5,154 housing units at an average density of 1,137.7 per square mile (439.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 0.6% African American, 1.6% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.1% of the population.

There were 4,847 households, of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 34 years. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.