BILLINGS, Yellowstone County seat and the largest city in Montana, became known as the "Magic City" soon after its founding in 1882. Billings was named after Frederick Billings, President of the Northern Pacific Railroad from 1879 to 1881. The city earned the nickname of "magic" because its growth was immediate and phenomenal. From its humble beginnings as a railhead for the Northern Pacific, Billings has blossomed into a cosmopolitan city whose population has nearly doubled every thirty years.

Today, Billings is the undisputed cultural and economic hub of Montana, and a great place to live, work and play.

Natural Beauty

The city of Billings is located in south central Montana, within easy driving distance of Yellowstone National Park. Nestled in the fertile valley of the Yellowstone River and framed on three sides by scenic mountain ranges, Billings is a blend of plains and mountain geographies.

Climate

Billings enjoys sunny weather that is surprisingly mild for a city in the northern United States. The climate is classified as semiarid and features humidity levels that are comfortably low year round. Average annual precipitation totals nearly 15 inches, 52 percent of which falls during the growing season (May-September). Snowfall averages about 56.9 inches annually, but seldom accumulates to great depths because of frequent thawing periods.

The mountains to the west provide warm "Chinook" winds which often melt city snows and bring spring-like temperatures in the midst of January and February. Billings frequently enjoys "open" winters when cold waves bypass the area completely, passing far to the east of Montana.

Spring brings rapid fluctuations in the weather with periods of rain and wet snow. City residents look for their spring perennial to appear as early as mid-March. Wise gardeners wait until mid-May to plant, however, because the last frost can occur as late as May 15th.

Summer is characterized by low humidity and warm, sunny days which fade into pleasantly cool evenings. Occasional thunderstorms pass through the area but usually bring only small amounts of rain.

Autumn days are mild and nights are cool. The first frost usually comes around September 25th, and is typically followed by an "Indian Summer." The transition to winter weather is gradual and commonly takes place in late November or early December.

Severe weather problems endured by many cities across the nation (fog, ice storms, frequent high winds, destructive hailstorms, etc.) are a rarity in Billings. A sheltered location and low humidity levels give Billings and the Yellowstone Valley enjoyably mild weather, which is a welcome exception to northern climates.

Housing

Housing in Billings is varied in types, prices and location. Available for sale are charming homes, apartments, condominiums and townhouses, and ranch properties. When searching for homes in the area contact me for assistance. Nobody knows the area better than I do and I guarantee to find you the perfect home in the perfect community that fits your style and needs.

Education

Quality education is an important aspect of the Billings Community. Local students consistently rank in the upper percentiles in national scholastic exams. For further information about the public school system, K-12, please contact:

Parks and Recreation

The City of Billings Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Department administers over 2,300 acres of dedicated park land for recreation, conservation, and special uses. The park system is composed of 52% multi functional parks, 20% natural resource parks, 11% multiple use recreational parks, 7% undeveloped parks, 6% sports complexes, 2% special use lands, 2% green space, and 1% special use facilities. You'll find plenty of space for energetic recreation as well as quiet corners for meditation in the shade of the many mature trees which grace the city. The parks feature a variety of facilities from picnic areas to multiple sports fields and supervised recreation.

Carbon County

Carbon County, located in south central Montana, was created on March 4, 1895 from portions of Park and Yellowstone counties and includes an area of 2,066 square miles. The county seat is located in Red Lodge while other towns include Bearcreek, Belfry, Bridger, Fromberg, Edgar, Silesia, Joliet, Boyd, Roberts, Luther and Roscoe. To the south and west lie the picturesque Beartooth Mountains whose lofty peaks include Montana’s highest, Granite Peak with an elevation of 12,799 feet. Flowing from the mountains, the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River meanders through central portions of the county. On the eastern edge of the county are the Pryor Mountains and the Big Horn River.

Today with a population of just under 10,000 Carbon County has become a popular tourist destination and residential area for those looking to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Residents take advantage of opportunities for hiking, camping, skiing, golfing, hunting and wildlife viewing or maybe even a respite of quiet solitude.