Helena is the birthplace of Arkansas' former senior United States senator, Blanche Lincoln.

[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, West Helena had a total area of 4.4 square miles (11 km2), all of it land.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 8,689 people, 3,204 households, and 2,223 families residing in West Helena.

27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[6] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.