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Helen

A township of 833 people in McLeod County, Minnesota

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Town hallWanted · be the first Main streetWanted · be the first The libraryWanted · be the first Add a photoStart the Helen album

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Now in Helen

What’s happening this week

This week

🕊️ 9 obituaries

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Upcoming events

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Around town

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Around town

The places and views that make it Helen

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The Helen album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Helen together

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Outdoors in Helen

Parks & trails →

Conserved land0.1%14 of 22,328 acres

Trails2.5 mi0.1 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves1named on the map

1Buffalo Creek County Park37 acres

Know a trail or park that’s missing? Anyone can add it to OpenStreetMap, and it shows up here on the next refresh.

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Helen

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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Town numbers

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Living in Helen

Work & commute in Helen

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Most working residents leave Helen for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Glencoe (16%), Hutchinson (7%) and Waconia (6%). Half commute less than 19 miles.

Glencoe

16%

Hutchinson

7%

Waconia

6%

Eden Prairie

5%

0%Work in townlive and work in Helen 19 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 119Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Helen →

Health in Helen

Compared with Minnesota

8worse than MN

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 24 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

42.6%More adults with obesityMN 33.5% · worse 6.6%More adults with COPDMN 5.4% · worse 16%More smokersMN 13.1% · worse

Care nearby

Glencoe Regional HealthGlencoe · 4.4 mi · ER · rural critical access

Jordan Dental ClinicJordan · 22.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 55336, 55370, 55339 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Helen →

Natural hazards in Helen

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 37% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Helen flood?no paid flood claims on record 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Helen MapHelen vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Helen →

Climate in Helen

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Helen has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 5°, and about 50 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

26° / 9°Winter

55° / 35°Spring

80° / 59°Summer

57° / 38°Fall

How much snow does Helen get?About 50 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 15, with the last in spring around Apr 24.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.3° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Helen →

Libraries near Helen

Nearest: Glencoe Public LibraryGlencoe · 4 miles · 44 hrs a week

Famous people from HelenWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Helen.Meet them →

Where Helen is

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Imported town boundary

Minnesota · MN · McLeod CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

How things work in Helen

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care