Great Falls at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 60,422, placing it 3rd among Montana's 127 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 60,473 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 0.1% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 3rd largest of 127 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 98% of Montana places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 47.5025, -111.3000.
- Nearest larger cities: there is no larger Census place within 120 miles.
- Smaller towns nearby: Belt, MT (19 mi); Cascade, MT (24 mi); Dutton, MT (31 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Great Falls
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
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 Great Falls
Each row below is a Montana rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Great Falls
Before you share your details with a lender in Great Falls:
- 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.