Climate & Temperature Averages:

Average relative humidity 52.5%
Average annual precipitation 11.6 inches
Average annual snowfall 47.1 inches
Average windspeed 7.7 mph

Helena's weather is usually clear, sunny, and dry with low levels of humidity. This makes both summer and winter tempuratures more comfortable. Since the city is located on the east side of the Contenintal Divide, Helena tends to have more sunny days than those cities on the west side.

Economy:

Being the state capitol of Montana as well as the county seat of Lewis & Clark County, Helena's economy is stable and viable. It does not have the typical ups and downs of cities with only one major employer or industry. Helena's stability is largely due to state government, small business, and the location of several federal agency offices. The majority of it's workforce is professionals, white-collar workers, and employees of small businesses. Helena's unemployment rate, 3.6% in 2005,is traditionally below average in Montana and one of the lowest in the United States.

Employment:

Please visit the following links for employment information.

Montana Workforce Services Division
Find a Job in Montana
Find a State Job
Find a Federal Job
Montana Jobs for Teachers
Montana Communities Seeking Health Professionals

Education:

Helena Public Schools - School District 1 - K through 12th grade.

East Helena Public Schools - School District 9 - K through 8th grade.

Montana City School - (406)442-6779 - K through 8th grade.

Rocky Mountain Christian High School - Grades 9 through 12

Saint Andrews Schools - Private Catholic School - K through 12th grade.

Carroll College - The top private Catholic, liberal arts college in the Pacific Northwest.

UM Helena - The University of Montana - Helena College of Technology.

Taxes:
Montana is one of five states with no general sales tax. Property and income tax are the primary source of revenue which supports public services. The state imposes no sales or use tax on business purchases and no state or local excise tax on long-distance telephone costs. Montana ranks 11th in the nation for a favorable tax structure.

For current tax information regarding Helena and Montana, please visit www.montax.org

Sports & Recreation:

Drive, walk, bike any direction and you'll find recreation galore. From Mount Helena to Spring Meadow Lake, from Great Divide Ski Area to the Gates of the Mountains, from Fox Ridge Golf Course to Canyon Ferry Lake, the possibilities are endless.

Helena Hiking & Backpacking

Mount Helena - Helena's most noticeable landmark, boasting 630 acres of hiking and biking trails.
Mount Helena Ridge Trail - winds seven miles from Park City back to Mount Helena.
Mount Ascension - south of the capitol with access to the Helena National Forest.
Trout Creek Canyon Trail - trail # 270, easy three-mile trail into the Big Belt Mountains.
Refrigerator Canyon - near York, this summer destination remains cool year-round.
Casey Meadows Trail - an easy three-mile hike in to Casey Meadows south of Helena.
Crow Creek Falls - One of only three waterfalls in the Helena National Forest.

Healthcare:

Saint Peter's Hospital - offers a full range of medical services including surgery, emergency services, comprehensive cancer treatment services, obstetrics, and diagnostic services.

Veterans Affairs Hospital - located at Fort Harrison, this hospital offers a full range of services to eligible veterans.

Shodair Hospital - provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services for children as well as an internationally renowned genetics center.

Intermountain Children's Home and Services - nationally recognized, nonprofit organization that provides treatment programs to children suffering from moderate to severe emotional disturbances.

History:

Montana Historical Society - Learn more about Montana's Museum, the Montana Historical Society Press, Montana The Magazine of Western History, the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, the MHS Research Center, and the countless programs provided.

Helena As She Was - Images of Montana's Capital City