Laurel is a city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States and the third largest community in the Billings Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Laurel is located in the Yellowstone Valley as an east–west terminal division point of the BNSF Railway.

The government was in the process of planning a railroad to the west coast, and had surveying crews out to map the country on the most direct route.

It was not until 1877 that the white man felt safe in the Yellowstone Valley, after the power of the Sioux was broken.

So it was that while the memory of the Massacre of General Custer and his Command on the Little Big Horn River was still fresh in the minds of settlers of Montana, that a little community was established in the Yellowstone Valley.

There was a section house built that served as a depot and post office, situated about where Hobo Hill is, or near the center of the present railroad yards east of Laurel.

The railroad pushed closer to Laurel from the east, up the Yellowstone Valley during the summer of 1882.

The Clarks Fork joins the Yellowstone approximately 2 mi (3 km) southeast of town.

[12] Full executive authority is vested in the mayor, who is elected at-large for a four-year term.

In November 2007, the citizens of Laurel approved a city charter with self-governing powers.

In addition to firefighting and rescue, the fire department is known for its world-class Fourth of July fireworks, rated as one of the top 10 events in the Northwest.

A non-profit group has been raising funds to build a large recreation complex.

The completed complex will include a community center, gymnasium, competition style pool, and skate park.

[18] Some of Laurel's residents commute the 15 miles (24 km) to Billings, Montana's largest city.

Laurel is also significant as it lies on one of two main roads to Red Lodge, 45 miles (72 km) southwest on US 212; it is a popular mountain town and an end of the Beartooth Highway.

The Laurel Police Department is a member of the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium (MTLETC).

The Laurel Police Department occasionally accepts applications from individuals who would like to volunteer their time to serve and protect the community.

[14] The LVFD also provides mutual aid to Billings, Park City, and CHS Industrial Fire Departments; and assistance as needed to several surrounding Fire Departments, including Lockwood, Red Lodge, Columbus, Molt and Joliet.

The service is responsible for covering 183 square miles, including the territory within the city limits of Laurel.

The service has maintained two ambulances for transport of patients, and also provides a Quick Response SUV for various emergency purposes.

While the service is able to provide some advanced therapies, such as intravenous access and 12-lead ECG monitoring, advanced life support services are provided mainly by American Medical Response-Billings, St. Vincent HELP Flight, Red Lodge Fire-Rescue, and Columbus Fire-Rescue.

As of 2016, there are 22 active Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics providing ambulance services to the citizens of Laurel.