Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over 500 miles (800 km). With a trade area of over half a million peopleBillings is located in the south-central portion of the state and is the county seat of Yellowstone County, 2010 population of 147,972.Billings was nicknamed the Magic City because of its growth from its founding as a railroad town in 1882. The city is named for Frederick H. Billings, a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. With one of the largest trade areas in the United States,Area attractions include Yellowstone National Park, Pompey's Pillar, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Pictograph Cave, Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Zoo Montana, Red Lodge Mountain Resort and the Beartooth Highway.