Laurel, Montana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laurel, Montana
City
Riverside Park along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
Seal
Location of Laurel, Montana
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Yellowstone
Settled	1879
Incorporated	October 10, 1908
Government
• Type	Mayor – Alderman
Area
• City	2.607 sq mi (6.752 km2)
• Land	2.605 sq mi (6.746 km2)
• Water	0.002 sq mi (0.004 km2)
Elevation	3,301 ft (1,006 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	7,222
• Estimate  (2022)	7,203
• Density	3,310/sq mi (1,279/km2)
• Urban	8,789
• Urban density	1,481/sq mi (571.8/km2)
• Metro	190,208
• Metro density	29.4/sq mi (11.34/km2)
Time zone	UTC–7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC–6 (MDT)
ZIP Code	59044
Area code(s)	406
FIPS code	30-42700
GNIS feature ID	0773254

Laurel is a city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States. It is the third largest community in the Billings Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located in the Yellowstone Valley, as an east–west terminal division point of the BNSF Railway. The population was 7,222 at the 2020 census.

Laurel is home to a Cenex Harvest States oil refinery and BNSF's Laurel Yard, the largest rail yard between St. Paul, Minnesota and Pasco, Washington.

History

Before Laurel became a city or a community, people passed through the site during the gold rush period, when gold was discovered at the Clarks Fork headwaters. They came by team and wagon, and by small steamer vessels up the Yellowstone River. The government was in the process of planning a railroad to the west coast, and had surveying crews out to map the country on the most direct route. Many of the prospectors that went west in search of gold, felt gold might be found in other parts of the state, so some returned to the Yellowstone Valley, and others came from the East to settle here. However, this did not take place until after the Custer Massacre in 1876. It was not until 1877 that the white man felt safe in the Yellowstone Valley, after the power of the Sioux was broken. So it was that while the memory of the Massacre of General Custer and his Command on the Little Big Horn River was still fresh in the minds of settlers of Montana, that a little community was established in the Yellowstone Valley.

The history of Laurel began when settlers began making their homes in the vicinity in 1879. There was a section house built that served as a depot and post office, situated about where Hobo Hill is, or near the center of the present railroad yards east of Laurel. The railroad pushed closer to Laurel from the east, up the Yellowstone Valley during the summer of 1882. Up to this time, there were about 200 people in the community. With the advent of the railroad, the population grew to 368 in 1900, 806 in 1910, and 2,338 in 1920.

Laurel was originally known as the station of Carlton, however by 1883, its name was changed to Laurel, after a local shrub. The post office was established in 1886. Laurel was considered a town in 1906, but it was not until August 1908 that it became incorporated, and two months later, on October 10, 1908, city government was established with the election of a city council and mayor.

Geography

Laurel is located at 45°40′26″N 108°46′15″W / 45.67389°N 108.77083°W / 45.67389; -108.77083 (45.673986, -108.770893). It is 3300 feet (1006 m) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.605 square miles (6.75 km²), is land and 0.002 square miles (0.01 km²), is water.

Most of Laurel is positioned on the northern side of the Yellowstone River. The Clarks Fork joins the Yellowstone approximately 2 mi (3 km) southeast of town.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 7,222 people, 2,960 households, and 1,859 families living in the city. There were 3,128 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 6,718 people, 2,790 households, and 1,765 families living in the city. The population density was 3,139 inhabitants per square mile (1,212/km²). There were 2,943 housing units at an average density of 1,375 per square mile (531/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 0.4% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 2,790 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

Economy

Cenex Harvest States oil refinery, Montana Rail Link, Laurel School District 7-70, and Wood's Power Grip comprise the major employers in Laurel. Farming and ranching provide other important mainstays.

The Billings Canal, used for irrigation, starts in Laurel.

Arts and culture

Laurel is home to the Yellowstone National Cemetery, a United States national cemetery.

In addition to firefighting and rescue, the fire department is known for its world-class Fourth of July fireworks, rated as one of the top 10 events in the Northwest. They also have a fireworks show after the Christmas parade.

Laurel's 18-hole golf course first opened in 1968 and welcomed a new clubhouse in 2023. There is a frisbee golf course, horseshoe pits at 2 parks, and a basketball court at Kiwanis Park. A non-profit group has been raising funds to build a large recreation complex. The completed complex will include a community center, gymnasium, competition style pool, and skate park.

Other attractions near the Laurel area include Yellowstone National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and Pompey's Pillar National Monument (where in 1806, William Clark carved his name).

Laurel Public Library serves the town.

Laurel has been recognized as a Tree City USA for multiple years.

Infrastructure

Some of Laurel's residents commute the 15 miles (24 km) to Billings, Montana's largest city. Laurel is also significant as it lies on one of two main roads to Red Lodge, 45 miles (72 km) southwest on US 212; it is a popular mountain town and an end of the Beartooth Highway.

The City of Laurel has two types of public transit available to City residents: a Demand-Response Service and a Van Pool to Billings.

Laurel is served by the Laurel Municipal Airport, a publicly owned public-use airport, which is 2.4 miles (3.9 km) north of the central business district.

Intermountain Health maintains a medical clinic in Laurel. Hospital care is provided in nearby Billings.

Public safety

Police department

The Laurel Police Department is a member of the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium (MTLETC). Rick Musson was promoted to the position of Chief of Police in August 1998, a position which he continues to hold.

The Laurel Police Department occasionally accepts applications from individuals who would like to volunteer their time to serve and protect the community. The LPD has had a reserve program for over 35 years.

Fire department

The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department provides firefighting and rescue emergency response for the town and 110 square miles (280 km²) surrounding Laurel. The LVFD also provides mutual aid to Billings, Park City, and CHS Industrial Fire Departments; and assistance as needed to several surrounding Fire Departments, including Lockwood, Red Lodge, Columbus, Molt and Joliet.

The Fire Department is also known for award-winning Fire Prevention program. With the motto "Prevention through Education", the LVFD visits the children of Laurel several times a year, educating them on preventing fires and fire safety. The first week of October is named "Fire Prevention Week". The week is filled with visits to the schools by the Firefighters, an open house where the Department's doors are opened to the public and an hour-long program for the children of the community.

Ambulance service

The Laurel Volunteer Ambulance Service was created on June 1, 1976. The service is responsible for covering 183 square miles, including the territory within the city limits of Laurel. Before the service was formed, a local physician who owned and maintained an ambulance provided services and prehospital emergency care. As the needs of the citizens increased and calls for service became more frequent, the City felt an agency ran by city government was better equipped to provide for the people. The ambulance service has operated at the Basic Life Support level since 1976. The service is licensed through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, and it requires each staff member to maintain a license of at least the Emergency Medical Technician level.

The service has maintained two ambulances for transport of patients, and also provides a Quick Response SUV for various emergency purposes. The ambulance service is dispatched from the Laurel 9-1-1 Center and responds to medical emergency calls within the service area. While the service is able to provide some advanced therapies, such as intravenous access and 12-lead ECG monitoring, advanced life support services are provided mainly by American Medical Response-Billings, St. Vincent HELP Flight, Red Lodge Fire-Rescue, and Columbus Fire-Rescue. Neighboring agencies are often called to assist the service in meeting the needs of citizens, and Laurel Ambulance Service also provides mutual aid support to the neighboring agencies as well.

As of 2016, there are 22 active Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics providing ambulance services to the citizens of Laurel.

Education

The school districts are Laurel Elementary School District and Laurel High School District.

The Laurel Public School District (a combination of the elementary school district and the high school district) operates three elementary education schools (South, West, and Graff), one middle school, and one high school. Matt Torix is the current superintendent. The school team is the Laurel Locomotives. School colors are purple and gold.

Media

The Laurel Outlook is a weekly newspaper based in Laurel. They have both printed papers and e-editions.

The FM radio station KRSQ is licensed in Laurel. It plays a top 40 music format.

Notable people

• Chet Blaylock, former member of the Montana State Senate.
• Patrick Casey, middle-distance runner at Montana State University and University of Oklahoma.

See also

In Spanish: Laurel (Montana) para niños