Lake Helen, Florida

Lake Helen, Florida
City
City of Lake Helen
Motto:  "The Gem of Florida"
Location in Volusia County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°59′0″N 81°13′58″W
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Volusia
Incorporated	1888
Government
• Type	Commission-Manager
• Mayor	Vernon Burton
• Vice Mayor	Roger Eckert
• Commissioners	Heather Rutledge, Lynda Donato, and Charlene Bishop
• City Administrator	Lee Evett
• City Clerk	Roxann Reid Goodman
Area
• Total	4.72 sq mi (12.23 km2)
• Land	4.55 sq mi (11.80 km2)
• Water	0.17 sq mi (0.43 km2)
Elevation	66 ft (20 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,842
• Density	624.07/sq mi (240.95/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	32744
Area code	386
FIPS code	12-38025
GNIS feature ID	0285248
Website	http://www.lakehelen.org/

Lake Helen is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,842 at the 2020 census.

Geography

Lake Helen is located at 28°59′0″N 81°13′58″W (28.983463, –81.232870).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.8 km²), of which 4.4 square miles (11.5 km²) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km²) (2.82%) is water.

Climate

The climate for the City of Lake Helen is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lake Helen has a humid subtropical climate zone, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	203		—
1910	646		218.2%
1920	978		51.4%
1930	850		−13.1%
1940	587		−30.9%
1950	926		57.8%
1960	1,096		18.4%
1970	1,303		18.9%
1980	2,047		57.1%
1990	2,344		14.5%
2000	2,743		17.0%
2010	2,624		−4.3%
2020	2,842		8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 and 2020 census

Lake Helen racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	2,209	2,320	84.18%	81.63%
Black or African American (NH)	240	194	9.15%	6.83%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	4	2	0.15%	0.07%
Asian (NH)	9	4	0.34%	0.14%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	0	2	0.00%	0.07%
Some other race (NH)	9	8	0.34%	0.28%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	39	116	1.49%	4.08%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	114	196	4.34%	6.90%
Total	2,624	2,842

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,842 people, 923 households, and 650 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,624 people, 1,049 households, and 767 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,743 people, 1,124 households, and 774 families residing in the city. The population density was 650.1 inhabitants per square mile (251.0/km²). There were 1,204 housing units at an average density of 285.3 per square mile (110.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.02% White, 10.68% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% of the population.

In 2000, there were 1,124 households, out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $34,577, and the median income for a family was $39,688. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $22,774 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,158. About 7.5% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

In the media

An episode of WCW Monday Nitro from February 17, 1997, featured a home movie filmed during the preceding week by NWO members Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Syxx. In the video the three are driving through Lake Helen as the city's name appears on the side of a building that is captured on the video. The NWO members cross paths with the Steiner Brothers in their car and run them off the road.

Notable people

Civil rights attorney and leader Isiah C. Smith was born in Lake Helen.