how many santas' helpers are there in the north pole?

Question

what do they eat in the north pole? are they underground?

Answer 1

there are about 10,000, they eat food just like we do, and lots of candy,,, and they live in elaborate ice caves, like huge igloo's

Answer 2

There are twelve. There always have been twelve, and there always will be twelve.
They live in a huge factory which is partly underground and partly on the surface.
They mostly eat penguins and arctic circle candy. The penguins are imported from the south pole.