Belmont at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 834 residents, ranking 112th of 230 places in West Virginia (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 869 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 4.0% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 112th in population of 230 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 51% of West Virginia's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 39.3780, -81.2638 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: St. Marys, WV (3 mi); Marietta, OH (10 mi); Williamstown, WV (10 mi); Vienna, WV (15 mi); Harrisville, WV (16 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Cairo, WV (13 mi); Ellenboro, WV (13 mi); North Hills, WV (14 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Belmont
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Belmont
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in West Virginia, and therefore in Belmont.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Traditional payday lending is generally prohibited; check cashers are regulated under W. Va. Code ch. 32A Source says: Traditional "Payday Lenders" are generally prohibited within this state. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated consumer lender license required from the Commissioner (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-101) Source says: Unless a person has first obtained a license from the commissioner authorizing the person to make regulated consumer loans | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) Source says: The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is charged with the regulation and supervision of financial institutions chartered by the State of West Virginia. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 31% per year on unsecured loans of $3,500 or less; 27% on $3,500–$15,000; 18% above $15,000 (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-107) Source says: the loan finance charge, calculated according to the actuarial method, may not exceed 31 percent per year | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Belmont
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Belmont:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in West Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.