Culbertson at a glance
- Population: about 718, 70th by size in Montana of 127 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 751 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 4.4% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 70th-largest of 127 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 45% of places in Montana are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 48.1451, longitude -104.5162 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Fairview, MT (30 mi); Poplar, MT (31 mi); Sidney, MT (34 mi); Williston, ND (40 mi); Plentywood, MT (44 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Froid, MT (13 mi); Bainville, MT (14 mi); Medicine Lake, MT (25 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Culbertson
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Montana lending rules that apply in Culbertson
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Montana, and therefore in Culbertson.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required under the Montana Consumer Loan Act (32-5-101); licensing through NMLS Source says: "A consumer loan license is needed to engage in business as defined in the Montana Consumer Loan Act" | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (BFID), Department of Administration Source says: "The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (Division) does all of its licensing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)." | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Deferred deposit loan license requirement (MCA 31-1-705) | A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department Source says: "A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department." | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Greater of 15% or prime rate + 6 percentage points per year (written agreement); regulated lenders exempt Source says: "Parties may agree in writing to the payment of any rate of interest that does not exceed the greater of 15%" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal; deferred deposit lenders must be licensed; fee capped at 36% per annum Source says: "A licensee may not charge a fee for making or carrying each deferred deposit loan authorized by this part that exceeds 36% per annum" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Culbertson
Before you share your details with a lender in Culbertson:
- 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 Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.