Ennis at a glance
- Population: about 1,047, 53rd by size in Montana of 127 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 919 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 13.9% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 53rd of 127 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: about 58% of Montana's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.3461 latitude, -111.7313 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Three Forks, MT (39 mi); Belgrade, MT (40 mi); Bozeman, MT (40 mi); Whitehall, MT (40 mi); Manhattan, MT (40 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places nearby: Virginia City, MT (11 mi); Sheridan, MT (24 mi); Twin Bridges, MT (32 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Ennis
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Montana lending rules that apply in Ennis
The table lists the Montana rules that apply to a loan made in Ennis, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Ennis
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Ennis:
- 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.