Helena ZIP Code List — Phillips County, AR

There is one unique ZIP code in Helena, Arkansas and it is 72342. Area code: 870.
1
ZIP codes
108.55
sq mi land
13.03
sq mi water
870
area code
Helena, AR ZIP code map

About Helena, AR

Helena, Arkansas, is a historic city located within Phillips County, rich in cultural heritage and Southern charm. Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, it boasts a unique blend of natural beauty and Southern hospitality. With its vibrant community and rich history, Helena serves as a vital hub for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Helena is strategically located in the eastern part of Arkansas, approximately 60 miles southwest of Memphis, Tennessee. The city encompasses a land area of 108.55 square miles and includes 13.03 square miles of water, contributing to its picturesque landscape. The terrain is characterized by a mixture of flatlands and waterways, providing opportunities for various outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community in Helena is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of local pride. The economy partly relies on agriculture, with cotton and soybeans being significant crops in the region, alongside tourism driven by the city's historical significance. Daily life in Helena reflects a blend of traditional Southern values and modern conveniences, fostering a close-knit community.

Transportation

Helena is accessible via U.S. Highway 49, which connects it to nearby cities and facilitates transport in and out of the area. The nearest major airport is Memphis International Airport, located approximately 60 miles to the northeast. Local transit options are limited, encouraging a primarily automobile-based transportation system.

History

Founded in the early 19th century, Helena was initially established as a river port, which contributed to its growth and development. Over the years, the city became known as a center of cotton production and trade, marking its importance in the agricultural sector. Notable events in Helena's history include its role during the Civil War, where it served as a strategic location for Union forces.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Helena is that it hosts the Helena Blues and Heritage Festival, which celebrates the city's deep musical roots, particularly in blues music. Additionally, Helena is known for the historic districts that showcase beautiful antebellum architecture, making it a unique destination in Arkansas.

ZIP codes for Helena, AR (1)
ZIP code City County Map
72342 Helena Phillips View map

Demographics & statistics

4,133
Population
46.4
Median age
$35,865
Median household income
$19,597
Per capita income
$103,200
Median home value
$681
Median monthly rent
38.2%
Home ownership
26.7%
Poverty rate
14.7%
Unemployment
1,442
Housing units
18.2%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
46
Under 5
57
73
5–9
91
189
10–14
238
96
15–19
120
65
20–24
82
148
25–34
187
288
35–44
362
172
45–54
216
129
55–59
162
178
60–64
224
252
65–74
317
140
75–84
176
55
85+
70
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1884020.3%
18 and over3,29379.7%
65 and over1,01024.4%
Median age46.4 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 62%
White 30.8%
Two or more races 3%
Asian 2.2%
Hispanic or Latino 1%
Other race 1%
GroupCount%
Black or African American2,58962%
White1,28730.8%
Two or more races1243%
Asian932.2%
Hispanic or Latino401%
Other race401%

Household income

Under $10k 12.9%
$10k–$15k 11.6%
$15k–$25k 18.8%
$25k–$35k 6.2%
$35k–$50k 16.7%
$50k–$75k 16.7%
$75k–$100k 7.9%
$100k–$150k 8.3%
$150k–$200k 0.3%
$200k+ 0.6%
Range% of households
Under $10k12.9%
$10k–$15k11.6%
$15k–$25k18.8%
$25k–$35k6.2%
$35k–$50k16.7%
$50k–$75k16.7%
$75k–$100k7.9%
$100k–$150k8.3%
$150k–$200k0.3%
$200k+0.6%
Median income$35,865

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 22.5%
$50k–$100k 26.0%
$100k–$150k 27.3%
$150k–$200k 8.0%
$200k–$300k 7.8%
$300k–$500k 5.9%
$500k–$1M 1.6%
$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$103,200
Median rent / month$681
Owner occupied38.2%
Renter occupied61.8%
Vacant33.2%
Single-family detached63.5%
Large apartment buildings3.4%
Mobile homes6.3%
Median rooms5.1
Avg household size (owned)2.52

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20191.7%
2000–20092.5%
1990–199910.7%
1980–198916.8%
1970–197931.3%
1960–196915.8%
1950–19599.8%
1940–19493.1%
1939 or earlier8.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.6%
1 bedroom8.8%
2 bedrooms31.3%
3 bedrooms42.3%
4 bedrooms15.0%
5+ bedrooms2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle23.1%
1 vehicle42.3%
2 vehicles26.4%
3 or more8.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas49.4%
Electricity44.6%
Propane / LP gas5.1%
Wood1.0%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family35121.4%
Cohabiting couple412.5%
Male householder, no spouse37422.8%
Female householder, no spouse87653.3%
Households with children under 1835621.7%
Households with seniors (65+)63338.6%
Average household size2.39

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married43.3%40.5%
Married30.6%23.9%
Separated7.5%3.7%
Widowed2.0%15.5%
Divorced16.7%16.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%
Some HS, no diploma 13.1%
HS graduate 30.3%
Some college, no degree 24.3%
Associate's degree 8.6%
Bachelor's degree 11.6%
Graduate / professional 6.6%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher81.5%
Bachelor's or higher18.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool555.4%
Kindergarten555.4%
Elementary school48547.9%
High school25725.4%
College / grad school16015.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 35.2%
Arts, food & hospitality 16.4%
Finance & real estate 12.7%
Transportation & utilities 8.1%
Manufacturing 7.1%
Construction 4.4%
Retail trade 4.2%
Public administration 3.8%
Professional & management 2.6%
Other services 2.4%
Agriculture & mining 1.1%
Wholesale trade 1.0%
Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts44.8%
Service21.0%
Sales & office11.7%
Natural resources & construction5.3%
Production & transportation17.2%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector63.8%
Government31.5%
Self-employed4.7%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone69.5%
Carpool26.6%
Public transit1.6%
Walk0.5%
Other means1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)26.9

Poverty

All people 26.7%
Under 18 years 30.7%
18 and over 25.7%
Married-couple families 4.0%
Female-led households 31.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security42.7%
Retirement income29.0%
Supplemental Security16.9%
Cash public assistance3.8%
Food stamps / SNAP42.9%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure51.6%
High cholesterol38.0%
Heart disease9.4%
Stroke5.8%
Asthma12.4%
Arthritis31.6%
Kidney disease4.7%
Pulmonary disease11.1%
Cancer6.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking11.0%
No physical activity40.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep40.6%
Fair or poor health30.4%
Poor mental health18.0%
Poor physical health17.6%
No health insurance18.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)82.4%
Visited dentist45.5%
Cholesterol screening88.5%
Teeth loss26.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2788.4%
Disability%
Any disability28.0%
Under 184.4%
18–64 years25.7%
65 and over55.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance40.9%
Public insurance64.5%
Uninsured under 194.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only4,03097.5%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,99996.8%
Born in same state3,99996.8%
Born in different state3,11475.3%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen1343.2%
Not a US citizen4130.6%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French1844.5%
Italian1443.5%
Arab571.4%
AncestryCount%
English320.8%
Polish90.2%
Dutch90.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access39.7%
Internet access81.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Helena, AR?
Helena, AR has one ZIP code: 72342.
What is the main ZIP code for Helena, AR?
The primary ZIP code for Helena, AR is 72342. The city uses area code 870 for phone service.
What county is Helena, AR in?
Helena is located in Phillips County, Arkansas.
How many ZIP codes are in Helena, AR?
Helena, AR has 1 ZIP code.
What ZIP code covers the historic downtown Helena area along Cherry Street?
Downtown Helena, including the Cherry Street historic district and the Delta Cultural Center, is located in ZIP code 72342.
What is the ZIP code for Helena's neighborhoods near the Arkansas River waterfront?
The riverfront areas and residential neighborhoods of Helena that border the Arkansas River are all served by ZIP code 72342.
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