Laurel, Montana Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Laurel, Montana is a vibrant small town located in the south-central part of the state. It is nestled in the Yellowstone River Valley and boasts a population of nearly 7,000 people. Surrounded by breathtaking views of rolling hills and mountains, Laurel has become an increasingly popular destination for visitors looking to explore the great outdoors.

The town was first established in 1905 and named after the laurel bushes that grew along the riverbanks. It began as an agricultural center and has since grown into a thriving community with plenty to offer its residents and visitors alike. In addition to its picturesque scenery, Laurel is home to numerous local businesses including restaurants, cafes, shops, and art galleries. There are also several parks and recreational areas throughout town including Riverside Park which offers fishing access to the Yellowstone River as well as a playground for children to enjoy.

The climate in Laurel is mild throughout the year with temperatures ranging from low 30s during winter months up to mid-80s during summer months. The city receives an average of 18 inches of snow each year making it ideal for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating and snowshoeing during winter months while spring brings plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking and camping in nearby national forests or Yellowstone National Park which is only a short drive away.

Laurel also offers many cultural attractions such as its historic downtown area featuring many original buildings from early settlers or The Laurel Museum where visitors can learn about local history through interactive exhibits on display year round. The city hosts numerous festivals each year such as their annual Arts Festival or Summerfest celebration which features live music performances and family friendly activities such as face painting or carnival rides.

Overall Laurel is a great place to visit or live if you’re looking for an escape from big city life while still having access to all that Montana has to offer! With its stunning natural beauty surrounded by mountains on all sides combined with their friendly small-town charm it’s no wonder why so many people are drawn here time after time.

Population: 6,255. Estimated population in July 2024: 6,342 (+1.4% change)
Males: 2,987 (47.8%), Females: 3,268 (52.2%)

Yellowstone County

Zip code: 59044

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.4 years
Median household income: $32,679
Median house value: $85,800

Population by Race

Races in Laurel:

  • White Non-Hispanic (95.1%)
  • Hispanic (2.4%)
  • American Indian (1.8%)
  • Two or more races (1.0%)
  • Other race (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (39.3%), Norwegian (12.6%), English (11.8%), Irish (11.3%), United States (5.4%), French (5.0%).

Elevation: 3297 feet

Land area: 1.9 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Laurel

  • High school or higher: 85.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.9%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
  • Unemployed: 5.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Laurel city

  • Never married: 21.5%
  • Now married: 55.9%
  • Separated: 1.4%
  • Widowed: 11.5%
  • Divorced: 9.7%

1.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +385 (+6.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Laurel:

  • DEACONESS BILLINGS CLINIC (about 29 miles; BILLINGS, MT)
  • ST VINCENT HEALTHCARE (about 29 miles; BILLINGS, MT)
  • STILLWATER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CAH (about 35 miles; COLUMBUS, MT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Laurel:

  • BILLINGS LOGAN INTL (about 19 miles; BILLINGS, MT; Abbreviation: BIL)
  • YELLOWSTONE REGIONAL (about 82 miles; CODY, WY; Abbreviation: COD)
  • WORLAND MUNI (about 132 miles; WORLAND, WY; Abbreviation: WRL)

Other public-use airports nearest to Laurel:

  • LAUREL MUNI (about 3 miles; LAUREL, MT; Abbreviation: 6S8)
  • BRIDGER MUNI (about 29 miles; BRIDGER, MT; Abbreviation: 6S1)
  • COLUMBUS (about 34 miles; COLUMBUS, MT; Abbreviation: 6S3)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Laurel:

  • MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BILLINGS (about 21 miles; BILLINGS, MT; Full-time enrollment: 3,105)
  • MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BOZEMAN (about 148 miles; BOZEMAN, MT; Full-time enrollment: 10,380)
  • RICKS COLLEGE (about 241 miles; REXBURG, ID; Full-time enrollment: 8,670)
  • CASPER COLLEGE (about 257 miles; CASPER, WY; Full-time enrollment: 2,564)
  • IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY (about 322 miles; POCATELLO, ID; Full-time enrollment: 10,057)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING (about 341 miles; LARAMIE, WY; Full-time enrollment: 9,665)
  • BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 349 miles; SPEARFISH, SD; Full-time enrollment: 3,190)

Schools

Public high school in Laurel:

  • LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 552; Location: 203 EAST 8TH STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Laurel:

  • FRED W GRAFF SCHOOL (Students: 435; Location: 417 EAST SIXTH ST; Grades: PK – 05)
  • LAUREL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 384; Location: 410 COLORADO AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • WEST SCHOOL (Students: 347; Location: 502 EIGHTH AVENUE; Grades: 01 – 05)

Private primary/middle school in Laurel:

  • YELLOWSTONE VLY CHRISTIAN SCH (Students: 38; Location: 400 7TH AVENUE; Grades: KG – 11)

Libraries

Library in Laurel:

  • LAUREL PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $124,630; Location: 720 WEST 3RD ST; 15,017 books; 300 audio materials; 650 video materials; 31 serial subscriptions)