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Billings is a city located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Montana.
Billings is rapidly growing; As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,847, and a 2006 city estimate indicates the city's population has grown to 101,182 (up 10.9% or 11,281 since 2000). Billings is the chief city in the Billings Metropolitan Area and is the county seat of Yellowstone County. In terms of population, it is the largest metropolitan area in Montana. It is nicknamed the Magic City because of its rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in 1882. It was said that Billings "grew like magic." Billings is named for Frederick H. Billings, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Due to Billings' status as the largest city in a 500 mile radius (south-central and eastern Montana and northern Wyoming), it serves as a shopping and accommodation center for area residents and highway travelers. The city's proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Pompey's Pillar, and the area where the Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought also draws a large number of tourists, especially during the summer months. Such traffic in recent years is largely due to Billings being on the most significant highway in Montana, Interstate 90.
Billings has experienced continued growth in the recent years, never declining in population like most of the rest of the eastern portion of the state, as well as most of the Great Plains states. It has avoided this trend by being in close proximity to the mountainous regions of Wyoming and Montana, making it a tourist hotspot.
This growth can be seen all over the city, with a new Wal-Mart and Target popping up in the Heights (making them the second of both in the city, the others are on the West End). New housing subdivisions are crowding a once sparse highway to the nearby town of Laurel and the medical corridor never seems to stop expanding. The population of the city is constantly on the march toward the 100,000 mark. Some see Billings becoming the next Boise, Idaho or Reno, Nevada.
Sorry, no tips were foundBillings is rapidly growing; As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,847, and a 2006 city estimate indicates the city's population has grown to 101,182 (up 10.9% or 11,281 since 2000). Billings is the chief city in the Billings Metropolitan Area and is the county seat of Yellowstone County. In terms of population, it is the largest metropolitan area in Montana. It is nicknamed the Magic City because of its rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in 1882. It was said that Billings "grew like magic." Billings is named for Frederick H. Billings, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Due to Billings' status as the largest city in a 500 mile radius (south-central and eastern Montana and northern Wyoming), it serves as a shopping and accommodation center for area residents and highway travelers. The city's proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Pompey's Pillar, and the area where the Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought also draws a large number of tourists, especially during the summer months. Such traffic in recent years is largely due to Billings being on the most significant highway in Montana, Interstate 90.
Billings has experienced continued growth in the recent years, never declining in population like most of the rest of the eastern portion of the state, as well as most of the Great Plains states. It has avoided this trend by being in close proximity to the mountainous regions of Wyoming and Montana, making it a tourist hotspot.
This growth can be seen all over the city, with a new Wal-Mart and Target popping up in the Heights (making them the second of both in the city, the others are on the West End). New housing subdivisions are crowding a once sparse highway to the nearby town of Laurel and the medical corridor never seems to stop expanding. The population of the city is constantly on the march toward the 100,000 mark. Some see Billings becoming the next Boise, Idaho or Reno, Nevada.
Last edited by Anna (7:39, 08 August 2006)
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