St. Helens: Demographics & People
St. Helens's population stands at 14,258 people, in 5,403 households. Population grew 0.8% from 14,152 (2022) to 14,258 (2024). Median age 39.8 years. (3.5y younger than Columbia County; 0.8y younger than Oregon). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 81% White (non-Hispanic) and 9% Hispanic or Latino. 67% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,011 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household.
- 33% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.8% from 14,152 (2022) to 14,258 (2024) — about 1.2× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~14,365 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 14,508.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 52,589 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 14,152 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 14,258 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 14,258 people |
| Population Estimate | 14,508 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 39.8y is 0.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 39.8 years (vs Oregon 40.6y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Population under 18 | 3,143 |
| Median age | 39.8 years (vs Oregon 40.6y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 14,258 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 11,897 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 40 |
| Asian residents | 46 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,282 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 29.1% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Asian population | 0.3% |
| Black population | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 9.3% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 80.7% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.0% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 7,692 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 5,874 |
| Share born in this state | 53.9% |
| Share born in another state | 46.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 41.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 593 |
| From Europe | 97 |
| From Africa | 37 |
Households & Family Composition
5,403 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 67% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 3,647 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 3,226 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 3,647 |
| Married couples with children | 991 |
| Single-parent households | 334 |
| Average household size | 2.59 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 16.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 208 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 38 |
| Family households | 3,610 households |
| Households that are families | 66.8% |
| Total households | 5,403 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 16.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,011 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 16.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 49,180 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 48,169 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,011 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 1,013 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.3% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 368 residents live in group quarters (2.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 368 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | OR-01 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 41,009 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 41 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 9 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Columbia |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 12.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 41,009 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Columbia County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,114 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 41,009 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Columbia County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 72.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 63.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 52.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 52,354 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 8.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 15 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 14,258, stable, family-oriented, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 14,258 people |
| Town Summary · County | Columbia County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade