Billings is the largest city in the US state of Montana, and
is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area. It has a trade area of
over half a million people. Billings is located in the south-central portion of
the state and is the county seat of Yellowstone County, 2011 population of
150,069. The 2011 Census estimates put the Billings population at 105,636, the
only city in Montana to surpass 100,000 people. The city is experiencing rapid
growth and a strong economy; it has had and is continuing to have the largest
growth of any city in Montana.
Parts of the metro area are seeing hyper growth. From 2000 to
2010 Lockwood, a southeastern suburb of the city saw growth of 57.8% the
largest growth rate of any community in Montana. Billings has avoided the
economic downturn that affected most of the nation 2008–2012 as well as
avoiding the housing bust. With the Bakken oil play in eastern Montana and
western North Dakota, the largest oil discovery in U.S. history, as well as the
Heath shale oil play just north of Billings, the city's already rapid growth
rate is escalating.
