Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, located in the south-central portion of the state. Billings is rapidly growing; as of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,847, while the Census Bureau's 2007 estimate listed the city's population at 101,876. It is the 60th fastest growing city out of the 259 cities in the U.S. with populations over 100,000, of which Billings is #259, the smallest. Billings is the county seat of Yellowstone County and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area. 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. Billings is named for Frederick H. Billings, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Because Billings is the largest city in a 500-mile (805 km) radius that includes Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, 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 visitors, especially during the summer months. recently ranked Billings the 3rd best place in the U.S. to raise a family.

Most of Billings is located in the Yellowstone Valley, carved out by the Yellowstone River. Over 10 million years ago, this valley was underwater with the tops of the "Rims," the sandstone cliffs bordering the city, being a prehistoric beach. It is not unusual to find fossilized fish in the area.

Some of pictographs in the Pictograph Cave 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Billings are 2,100 years old. The Crow Indians frequented this area from about the year 1700. However, archeological evidence places the Cheyenne in this area first ahead of the Crow and then the Sioux