Dutton at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 314, placing it 92nd among Montana's 127 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 304 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 3.3% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 92nd out of 127 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 28% of Montana's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.8475, -111.7143 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Fairfield, MT (20 mi); Choteau, MT (22 mi); Conrad, MT (25 mi); Great Falls, MT (31 mi); Cascade, MT (39 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Kevin, MT (63 mi); Geraldine, MT (69 mi); Hingham, MT (77 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Dutton
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.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Montana lending rules that apply in Dutton
The Montana rate caps and licensing rules that reach Dutton are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Dutton
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Dutton:
- 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.