Eleanor at a glance
- Population: 1,517 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 70th-largest of 230 places in West Virginia.
- 2020 Census base: 1,546 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 1.9% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 70th in population of 230 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 70% of places in West Virginia rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.5368, -81.9243 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Winfield, WV (2 mi); Hurricane, WV (9 mi); Nitro, WV (11 mi); St. Albans, WV (12 mi); Milton, WV (13 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Bancroft, WV (5 mi); Buffalo, WV (6 mi); Poca, WV (7 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Eleanor
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
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 Eleanor
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in West Virginia, and therefore in Eleanor.
| 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 Eleanor
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Eleanor:
- 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.