Laurel is located in Yellowstone County 15 miles SW of Billings between Park City and Lake Josephine Recreation Area where I-90 and US 310 meet.
It is near Canyon Creek Battlefield National Historic Park. The Chief Joseph Statue in downtown Fireman's Park and Canyon Creek Battlefield Marker (7 miles north of town) commemorate the 1877 battle between the Nez Perce Indians led by Chief Joseph and the U.S. Cavalry under the command of Col. Samuel Sturgis.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 6,027, an increase of 341 since 1990.
Laurel is part of the Billings, Montana metro area.