Cairo at a glance
- Population: roughly 167 people; 211th of 230 places in West Virginia (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 175 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 4.6% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 211th by size among 230 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 8% of West Virginia's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 39.2073, -81.1537 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Harrisville, WV (6 mi); Ellenboro, WV (7 mi); Pennsboro, WV (11 mi); Belmont, WV (13 mi); St. Marys, WV (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Pullman, WV (11 mi); Auburn, WV (18 mi); Friendly, WV (22 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Cairo
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Cairo
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Cairo
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Cairo:
- 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.