Santa Elena is a district of the municipality of Usulután Este in the Usulután Department of El Salvador. It became a district following the countryâÂÂs 2023âÂÂ2024 municipal reorganization, which reduced 262 municipalities to 44 and reclassified former municipalities as districts under the new structure. According to the 2024 population census, the district has 16,051 inhabitants.
Santa Elena and the surrounding region have been referenced in international reporting related to mining legislation and gold exploration in eastern El Salvador.
The local football club El Vencedor has competed in the Second Division and the Third Division of Salvadoran football.
Santa Elena celebrates its annual Fiestas Patronales from 10 to 18 August in honour of its patron saint, Saint Helena.