Gary at a glance
- Population: 703 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 123rd-largest of 230 places in West Virginia.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 774 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 9.2% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 123rd-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 47% of the Census places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 37.3632, -81.5357.
- Nearest larger cities: Welch, WV (5 mi); Tazewell, VA (16 mi); Bluefield, VA (17 mi); Mullens, WV (17 mi); Bluefield, WV (19 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Kimball, WV (4 mi); Anawalt, WV (6 mi); Keystone, WV (6 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Gary
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Gary
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Gary: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Gary
Before you commit to a personal loan in Gary, 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.