Dunbar at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 7,163, placing it 19th among West Virginia's 230 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 7,478 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 4.2% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 19th largest of 230 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 92% of places in West Virginia rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.3695 / -81.7361, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): South Charleston, WV (2 mi); St. Albans, WV (5 mi); Charleston, WV (6 mi); Huntington, WV (38 mi); Oak Hill, WV (42 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Nitro, WV (5 mi); Poca, WV (8 mi); Bancroft, WV (11 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Dunbar
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
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 Dunbar
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in West Virginia, and therefore in Dunbar.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Dunbar
Before you commit to a personal loan in Dunbar, 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.