Elizabeth at a glance
- Population: 698 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 126th-largest of 230 places in West Virginia.
- 2020 Census base: 724 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.6% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: the 126th-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 45% of West Virginia's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 39.0623, -81.3973 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Parkersburg, WV (16 mi); Spencer, WV (18 mi); Belpre, OH (18 mi); North Hills, WV (18 mi); Vienna, WV (19 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Reedy, WV (11 mi); Cairo, WV (16 mi); Grantsville, WV (19 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Elizabeth
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
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.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Elizabeth
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Elizabeth
Before you commit to a personal loan in Elizabeth, 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.