Elk Garden at a glance
- Population: about 207 residents, ranking 203rd of 230 Census places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 212 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.4% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 203rd of 230 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 12% of places in West Virginia rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 39.3862, -79.1556 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Kitzmiller, MD (1 mi); Piedmont, WV (9 mi); Westernport, MD (9 mi); Deer Park, MD (9 mi); Keyser, WV (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Luke, MD (8 mi); Bayard, WV (14 mi); Addison, PA (27 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Elk Garden
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
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.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Elk Garden
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Elk Garden: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Elk Garden
A few practical steps will make the process in Elk Garden less costly:
- 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.