Helena was founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush, and established on October 30, 1864.^[5] Due to the gold rush, Helena became a wealthy city, with approximately 50 millionaires inhabiting the area by 1888. The concentration of wealth contributed to the city's prominent, elaborate Victorian architecture.^[6]^[7]

At the 2020 census Helena's population was 32,091,^[8] making it the 5th least populous state capital in the United States and the 6th most populous city in Montana.^[9] It is the principal city of the Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties; its population is 83,058 according to the 2020 Census.^[3]

The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record.^[10] The city is served by Helena Regional Airport (HLN).^[11]

former U.S. Assessor for the Montana Territory

Truman C. Everts

Cornelius Hedges, U.S. Attorney of the Montana Territory

president of the First National Bank, Helena, Montana; later a Governor of the Montana Territory

Samuel T. Hauser

Warren C. Gillette, Helena merchant

son of U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull (Illinois)

Walter Trumbull

then former U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue for Montana Territory. Langford helped Washburn organize the expedition and later helped publicize the remarkable Yellowstone region. In May 1872 after the park was established, Langford was appointed by the Department of Interior as its first superintendent.

Nathaniel P. Langford

a Catholic liberal arts college,^[108] which opened in 1909, enrolls around 1,500 students.

Carroll College

a two-year affiliate campus of The University of Montana, provides skilled trades and technology degrees as well as general education requirements.^[109] It opened in 1939.