Clendenin at a glance
- Population: 862 residents, the 108th-largest of 230 places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 854 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.9% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: the 108th-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 53% of West Virginia places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.4845, -81.3515 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Charleston, WV (18 mi); Belle, WV (20 mi); Marmet, WV (20 mi); Chesapeake, WV (21 mi); Montgomery, WV (22 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Clay, WV (15 mi); Cedar Grove, WV (19 mi); Glasgow, WV (19 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Clendenin
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
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 useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Clendenin
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in West Virginia, and therefore in Clendenin.
| 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 Clendenin
Before you commit to a personal loan in Clendenin, work through these steps:
- 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.