Billings is a city located in Yellowstone County, Montana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,847. It is the county seat of Yellowstone County. In terms of population, it is the largest city in Montana. It is nicknamed the Magic City. Billings is named for Frederick H. Billings, a president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Hosts the minor league baseball team the Mustangs .

The local newspaper is the Billings Gazette.

Geography

Billings is located at 45°47'12" North, 108°32'14" West (45.786553, -108.537139)¹, in Yellowstone Valley, the city being divided into the Valley and the Heights by the Rims, a long cliff.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 87.6 km² (33.8 mi²). 87.3 km² (33.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.33% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 89,847 people, 37,525 households, and 23,152 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,029.1/km² (2,665.1/mi²). There are 39,293 housing units at an average density of 450.0/km² (1,165.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.87% White, 0.55% African American, 3.44% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. 4.18% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 37,525 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% are married couples living together, 10.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% are non-families. 31.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.93.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,147, and the median income for a family is $45,032. Males have a median income of $32,525 versus $21,824 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,207. 12.0% of the population and 9.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Transportation

Interstate 90 runs through Billings. Interstate 94 begins a few miles east of the city limits.

Billings Logan International Airport, located northwest of downtown Billings, offers non-stop service to a number of cities in the western United States, within Montana, and east to Minneapolis.

Neighborhoods

Heights, Alkali Creek, West End, South Side, Downtown

Main Thoroughfares

Main Street, Central Avenue, Broadwater Avenue, Grand Avenue, King Avenue, 24th Street W.; 1st, 4th & 6th Avenues, 27th Street, Shiloh Road.

External links