Clarksburg at a glance
- Population: roughly 15,489 people; 10th of 230 places in West Virginia (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 16,050 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 3.5% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: the 10th-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 96% of West Virginia's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.2703, -80.3618 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Fairmont, WV (18 mi); Morgantown, WV (34 mi); Wheeling, WV (58 mi); Parkersburg, WV (63 mi); Bethel Park, PA (75 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Nutter Fort, WV (2 mi); Stonewood, WV (3 mi); Anmoore, WV (4 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Clarksburg
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Clarksburg
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 Clarksburg
Before you share your details with a lender in Clarksburg:
- 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.