Laurel is a city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States. It is the third largest community in the Billings Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located in the Yellowstone Valley, as an east-west terminal division point of the Burlington-Northern Railroad. The population was 6,781 at the 2010 census.

Both Interstate 90 and a number of local railroads run through Laurel. It is most known for its industry and agriculture, but also has a historic shopping district.

Laurel is home to a Cenex Harvest States oil refinery and Montana Rail Link’s Laurel Yard, the largest rail yard between St. Paul, Minnesota and Pasco, Washington.

he City of Laurel operates under a Mayor – Alderman form of government. Full executive authority is vested in the Mayor, who is elected at-large for a four-year term. The Mayor presides over the meetings of the City Council and appoints and charges regular and special committees of the City Council. The Mayor is eligible to vote only in cases of a tie, but he may be heard at all times. He may veto all City Council actions, including line items within a budget resolution, and his veto may be overridden by two-thirds of the whole membership of the City Council.

In November 2007, the citizens of Laurel approved a city charter with self-governing powers. This allows for the position of Chief Administrative Officer to supervise the city’s operations.